8 Theft Prevention Tips for the Holidays

While spirits may be high during the holidays, so is crime. Fight the Bad Santas with these 8 tips to keep you and your car secure during the 2020 holiday shopping season!

It’s the time of year when most of us are thinking about turkey, pumpkin pie, shopping deals, and celebrating the season with loved ones.

But what’s not on your mind during the holidays, could be putting you at risk…

According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, robbery and personal larceny tend to spike around the holidays. So while you’re off snagging those Black Friday deals and visiting family, criminals are gearing up for their favorite time of year as well.

Cars packed with gifts, people carrying more cash, and rampant distractions make it easier for criminals to strike and steal that holiday joy.

So while you’re winterizing your car this season, don’t forget to add these 8 theft prevention and car security tips to your holiday to-do list:

#1: Park Smart

Scouring the parking lot for the perfect spot during the madness of holiday shopping may sound like cruel and unusual punishment, but it could save you from a break-in. Look for a well-lit area with plenty of people and other cars nearby.

#2: Double-Check Your Car Doors & Windows

It’s easy to get distracted when you’re on the hunt for the perfect gift or thinking about the day’s fun-filled plans. Always remember to double check the locks and roll up all windows (including the sunroof). 

If you want to be extra safe, manually lock your doors instead of using the fob. Today’s thieves have devices that allow them to jam the signal that locks your car and even capture the signal from a key fob so that they can trick your car into unlocking and driving away with them in it.

#3: Never Leave Your Car Running

This may seem obvious, but over 700,000 people are victims of car theft every year. When criminals are keeping their eyes peeled for opportunities during the holidays, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant. This means taking a few extra minutes to find a parking spot and lock up before running in to grab your coffee or afternoon snack.

#4: Equip Your Vehicle With A GPS Tracker

If auto theft (or any kind of theft) is a concern, you may want to consider getting a GPS tracker for your assets. Today’s trackers use cell towers to quickly and easily pinpoint the location of your stolen vehicle, motorcycle, or even a child or pet, without costing you a fortune.

#5: Hide gifts

Criminals know people shopping and traveling during the holidays are likely to be packed out with gifts. Unload your gifts as soon as you arrive at your destination and keep shopping backs safely stowed out of sight in the trunk.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”13938″][vc_column_text]Shopping online for the 2020 holidays? You could be at risk for another kind of theft…

Online retailers are most heavily attacked during holiday sales like Black Friday, and 43% of consumers who’ve had their identity stolen say it occurred while shopping online during the holidays. While this doesn’t mean online shopping is out, it DOES mean you need to be smart about how you shop!

#6: Shop Smart Online 

Avoid public wi-fi, which makes it easy for thieves to intercept your data, and make sure your home network is secure. This includes creating unique, secure passwords for all your accounts and updating the software on your devices.

#7: Regularly Monitor Your Credit & Identity

Use credit rather than debit cards when shopping online. Most credit card companies have security features that should be taken advantage of this time of year when fraudsters are rampant. Keep an eye on your credit report and make sure no one has run up your balance or created a new card with your name on it. Many ID theft protection services will do this for you.

#8: Do A Free Dark Web Scan

Did you know if your personal information has ever been exposed as part of a data breach, there’s a 1 in 3 chance of having your identity stolen? With odds like that and millions of new records exposed every year, this isn’t a risk you want to take. 

At FIXD, our mission is to protect you and your vehicle. We’ve recently teamed up with Identity Knight, an identity protection service with a track record of success spanning 3 decades and over 27 million lives, to offer you their 100% free Dark Web Scanner.

Click here to do a quick scan and find out if your personal information (like your email address) has ever been exposed – it’s FREE![/vc_column_text][startapp_separator animation=”none”][vc_column_text]2020 has been a year unlike any other. Whether you’re braving the crowds, traveling to visit friends and family, or shopping from home this season, we’ve got your back. From all of us at FIXD, we wish you a happy holiday and hope these tips help keep you and your car safe![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]