The holiday season is in full swing, meaning local shopping centers will soon be packed with eager customers looking for the perfect gifts. 

In 2024, an estimated 81 million people in the United States visited local shopping centers on Black Friday, resulting in congested stores, parking lots, and roadways.

Popular shopping days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday can also lead to spikes in criminal activity, including shoplifting, fraud, and even violent crime. 

Northampton County Sheriff Jack E. Smith offers the following tips to help your holiday shopping go smoothly this year:

Secure your valuables: Keep your purse or wallet close to your body and avoid keeping your phone in your back pocket where it can be easily taken.

Avoid conflict: Never fight or argue with other shoppers over an item in the store.

Stay alert: Be aware of your surroundings at all times and locate the exits closest to you in case of an emergency.

Share your plan: Before leaving for the store, let a friend or family member know where you are going and when you expect to return.

Hide your purchases: Do not leave shopping bags visible in your vehicle. Stow them in a locked trunk or take them directly home.

Protect your data: Wait until the cashier asks for payment before taking your credit or debit card out of your wallet. This prevents those waiting behind you from looking over your shoulder to steal account information.

Report suspicious activity: If you see someone or something suspicious, notify a store employee or law enforcement officer immediately.

Online shopping

Last year, more people shopped online during Black Friday than in stores, totaling over 87 million online shoppers. While avoiding brick-and-mortar stores may seem safer, shoppers are still at risk of becoming victims of cybercrime.

Smith recommends the following steps to avoid online scams:

Verify the site: Only shop on secure, trusted websites. Look for “HTTPS” or a lock symbol at the beginning of the URL. The “S” stands for “secure,” indicating it is safe to enter your information.

Monitor accounts: Keep a record of all online transactions and check your bank and credit card activity for any purchases that do not match your receipts.

Use secure connections: Use a private internet connection, such as home Wi-Fi, to do your shopping. Public networks, like those at coffee shops, are not secure and may be used by bad actors to collect private information.

Do your research: If you are unfamiliar with a particular online retailer, take time to ensure the website is legitimate before making a purchase.

“During the holiday season, it is more important than ever to be vigilant and take extra measures to keep ourselves and our community safe. Take some time to review these safety reminders before you head out in search of gifts for your loved ones,” said Smith. “But most of all, remember to have fun and experience the joy this season has to offer.”