How To Protect Your Home And Your Wallet During The Holiday Season
Some people might not find it ideal to visit Myrtle Beach during the holiday season, but many choose to go there for
the holidays. Myrtle Beach is packed with tons of fun activities and festive events that you and your family can enjoy. If you choose to travel to Myrtle Beach, you will surely be entertained by Christmas-themed events and shows that include singing, dancing, lights and holiday cheer. In case you don’t want to cook during the holiday season, you can choose one of the many restaurants that range anywhere from family dining to buffets or even steakhouses. However, when you visit Myrtle Beach, it is important you don’t forget to protect yourself. Holidays tend to make us forget about important things, like staying safe.
Remember, safety comes first. Yes, it’s a joyous time to celebrate with family and friends as the year comes to an end and we reminisce. However, we have to remember that the crime rate is usually higher during the holiday season. The truth is that people are spending tons of money on gifts, presents, greeting cards, holiday events and even travel expenses. With that being said, there are criminals searching for unique ways to gain access to people’s hard-earned money. Here are some tips to help avoid being a victim of any type of crime this holiday season.
Nighttime
During Christmas time, there are certain crimes which are more common than others. For example, somebody snatching your handbag or forcing you to an ATM to withdraw money. Belongings such as wallets and cell phones can also be snatched during the holiday season. Reports show that parking lots are a prime spot for children and women kidnapping. Therefore, while you are in parking lots or basement garages of shopping malls, be extra cautious. It may be a good idea to take your kids with you to the mall for Christmas shopping, but that increases the risk of them getting lost in big crowds. It is recommended you leave your kids at home with the babysitter while you focus on your checking things off your shopping list. At night, walk quickly and if you feel unsafe, ask a mall security guard to escort you to your car. When you enter your car, don’t linger and count how much cash you have left or take time looking for good holiday music on the local radio station. Pull off immediately to avoid becoming an easy target, especially when it’s dark and late in the day.
Online Shopping
If you have to do your shopping online, make sure you purchase from sites you can trust. If an online store is hacked, your credit card details and personal information could be compromised. That is why it is important to purchase from trusted sites that guarantee your safety. Online shoppers are also prime targets for scams that pretend to sell goods and offer gift cards at unbelievable discounts. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is! Fraudsters tend to create scam sites during the holiday season with the sole purpose of scamming innocent buyers. Therefore, it is advisable you be extra careful when visiting new sites and look out for words such as discounts or sales on the URL. Before you click on bargain buys, check the website address to make sure it is complete with typos or missing letters. Also, avoid sites that ask you to pay via prepaid debit cards. 
Perhaps you (or someone you know) has received a questionable phone call claiming to be your bank’s representative. The phone call may seem very real and the person on the other line may sound very professional and willing to help. What exactly is the issue? Your bank account has been jointed fraudulently with another account holder who doesn’t exist. If you are worried, you will start to give out bank account details to get the “urgent assistance” they are offering. In the process, you could end up losing your money to scams posing as bank representatives. The best thing to do in such a situation is to hang up the call before you start to believe their lies. Do not give out your account information to anyone until you can verify who you’re speaking with. You can always call your bank directly to find out if your account is under any fraudulent investigation.
Personal Items
A recent report showed that car break-ins tend to rise during the holiday season. You might think that leaving your personal belongings such as a handbag or credit cards in your car are safe. However, the North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety warns that people should be very careful with their belongings. If you have to leave certain things in your car, put them in the trunk instead of the seat which is very visual. Never leave your wallet, cell phone, laptop or purse in your car where it can be easily seen. Don’t leave your car in parking lots that are unattended for extended time periods. If you are worried about the safety of your vehicle, lock the steering wheel or brake using a mechanical locking device.
Your Residence
When you travel to Myrtle Beach for the holidays, you might be worried about the safety of your home. The possibility of your home being broken into is high, especially when you are away for a few days or weeks. Don’t let the joy of an upcoming vacation allow you to not protect your home. Before you travel to Myrtle Beach, make sure you take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of your home. This will ensure that your belongings and property are safe while you are away for holidays. And the most important bit is that you will have the peace of mind during your vacation without being obsessed with the safety of your home.
The first way you can keep your house safe is to acquire the services of a pet sitter or house sitter. This doesn’t have to be expensive. You can let in your relative or a reliable friend stay in your house while you are away. If you are worried about your mail piling up outside your doorstep during your travel to Myrtle Beach, contact your local post office. This next idea may sound obvious, but don’t forget to lock up your home. Even one window that is left unlocked could expose one’s entire property to theft. Remove your home spare key that you have been hiding under the flower pot. Criminals know all the hiding spots more than you think. If they notice you are away, they can easily find your spare key. Invest in a good home security system that has video surveillance to watch over your property while you are not at home. Or, you could always let us do it.
In conclusion, we hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season! No matter if you’re traveling to or staying in the local Myrtle Beach area, simply follow these guidelines, and you should be good to go. Be sure to consult Myrtle Beach Private Investigators in case of a safety threat. Get in touch with them today, to avoid a holiday headache!