Ft Worth Times

The holidays are a wonderful time of the year, but also a time when scammers try to find new targets. The Fort Worth Police and the water utility shared these theft-prevention tips.

Prevent holiday shopping theft

As holiday shopping gets more intense, numerous surveys report a rise in thefts — porch package thefts, online shopping thefts and thefts from cars. Protect yourself and your presents this holiday shopping season with common sense and a few tips from the pros.

Porch piracy prevention

• Sign up for email alerts from the shipper, so you know when packages arrive. Contact a neighbor to retrieve it if you can’t.
• Have packages delivered to your work address, self-service locker or to a store near your home. Most large shippers and Amazon don’t charge extra for locker service or in-store pickup.
• Instruct delivery persons to put packages behind a planter or at a back door, so they’re less visible to thieves.

Online shopping security

• Shop with reputable retailers, businesses you’ve used before or have checked out with the Better Business Bureau.
• Never shop on public Wi-Fi, where hackers can discover your personal information.
• Look for the lock icon on the left of the browser bar before entering financial info. The shopping site should start with https rather than http if it’s secure.

Shopping center theft prevention

• Don’t leave shopping bags — or anything of value — inside your vehicle. Always place packages in the trunk.
• When returning to your car after shopping, be alert. Have your key ready; don’t be on your phone. Scan the parking lot for anyone lurking or looking suspicious.
• Beware of helpful strangers. Someone pointing out a flat tire may be trying to distract you.
• As soon as you’re in your car, lock the doors.

Report thefts on the Fort Worth Police Department webpage or by calling the police non-emergency phone number: 817-392-4222.

Avoid utility scams

• Emails are not secure. The Fort Worth water utility will never ask residents to provide personal information via email.
• The utility will never ask residents to buy a prepaid debit card to avoid service disruption.
• Fort Worth Water employees never need to enter a home to take water samples or to investigate a water or wastewater issue.

What to do: Report suspected scams to the Fort Worth Police Department and notify the Fort Worth water utility at 817-392-4477.

Original source can be found here.