Can you imagine spending dozens of hours and large sums of money on presents to make the holidays extra merry and bright only to have them stolen from your vehicle or home?
It sounds like a nightmare, but it happens all the time, especially as purchases ramp up in November and December.
If you do your shopping the old-fashioned way, by going to the store and loading up on goodies, make sure any gifts you leave in your vehicle as you travel from shop to shop are kept out of sight. Thieves look for the easiest opportunities—visible items of obvious value (such as jewelry and electronics) and simple entry (such as unlocked doors or a quick smash and grab). If your purchases are kept out of easy view by passersby or those glimpsing in car windows, you are less likely to be targeted. Keep your receipts in your pocket or purse instead of in the bags. That way you will be able to fill out a more comprehensive theft report if you should fall victim.
If you shop online for gifts, know that porch theft is a common problem. Most online retailers offer tracking of deliveries and provide estimated drop-off times. You are advised to keep close tabs on these trackers and be there when the truck pulls up. If you can’t do that, consider asking a neighbor to help, or having packages delivered to a staffed location where you can pick them up; big shippers like FedEx, UPS and Amazon have reception sites across the United States. If you decide to take delivery at home but know you won’t be there, you can usually instruct the company to place items where they cannot be seen from the street. That may reduce your vulnerability.
