Louisiana Shoppers: Tips to Protect Yourself from Thieves and Opportunists
It's the most wonderful time of the year for people who love Christmas and the holiday season. This is when we usually get to spend time with our families.
We gather together to share meals, memories, and gifts. It's such a joyous time of year!
One of the downsides of the Christmas season is when unscrupulous people try to steal from you while you're out shopping or visiting with your loved ones.
It's a busy time of year, and criminals try to take advantage of us when we are super busy.
Car Thief
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No one wants to be the victim of any crime, and most people are constantly working to do whatever they can to prevent something terrible from happening.
Unfortunately, people who make a living off of other people's misery are also trying to find money for the Christmas season!
The sad part about today's world is that opportunists lurk around every corner, and we just need to pay attention to avoid becoming victims.
US Attorney Talking Computer Crimes
What's One Of The Major Avenues of Theft?
Chris Babin with the Better Business Bureau of Acadiana says the BBB Scam Tracker has numerous complaints about scams on social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and others offering personalized items. Still, people are getting ripped off.
Babin explains that you will see something advertised that is a personalized item, like a blanket, a key chain, or a paint-by-number set from a photograph image you submit, so you click on it, buy it, and wait.....and wait.....and wait, and you either get NOTHING or a product that isn't anything like it was depicted!
Babin shares just one example from someone in our area that this happened to,
I saw an ad on Facebook advertising GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE for Big Lots. I placed an order on biglotsonsaling.com on my bank debit card and a separate order on my credit card. Then learned it's a scam. Big Lots know about it. My roommate looked it up. I wish I had more info but that's all I know.
Babin has several helpful tips:
- Research the company before making a purchase
- Be skeptical of too-good-to-be-true ads
- Inspect the ad and website
- Look up reviews on other websites
- Beware of "sponsored" ads
- Pay with a credit card
We just want you to be aware of what can happen, and here are some ideas about how not to make yourself or your vehicle look very good to a thief:
It's the Most Wonderful Time of Year? Louisiana, Here's How to Protect Yourself When Shopping
Here are some tips from local law enforcement officials about some really easy things we can do to stay safe while out shopping and enjoying the Christmas season.
Gallery Credit: BernadetteLee
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