HomeMy WebLinkAboutHoliday_Shopping_Safety_release
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Jake Omodt, Communications Intern
Phone 952-833-9522 • commintern@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Personal Safety and Theft Prevention Tips for this Holiday Season
Edina, Minn., Dec. 4, 2017 –The Edina Police Department has some tips on how to stay safe and secure
this holiday shopping season.
“The biggest thing to remember is that we should follow the same rules that we teach our kids,” said Officer
Keith Boerger. “Stay away from strangers. Don't leave your stuff lying around. Pay attention to where you are
going. Be careful on the internet. If we follow those rules, we will set a good example for our children and will
make ourselves less likely to be the victims of crimes.”
Tips for personal safety:
• Safety in numbers. Go out with another person when you can. If you have to be alone, share your
plans with someone else.
• Don’t go quietly. If anyone attempts to attack you, yell and scream “stranger” and “call the police.”
Kick, bite, punch and do anything else it takes to get away. If you draw attention to yourself, you will
also draw unwanted attention to the criminal.
• Don't make yourself a target. Pay attention to your surroundings and don't appear distracted. Walk
with your head up and with your phone in your purse/pocket. It will help you spot suspicious
circumstances before it is too late.
• Park in well-lit areas. Always lock your car doors and make sure all windows are completely closed.
Make sure any boxes or shopping bags are locked in the trunk of the car so they are hidden from
would-be thieves.
Tips to prevent theft:
• Don't leave personal items unattended. A theft can happen very quickly and in any place.
• Photocopy the backs of all your credit/debit cards and keep that copy in a safe place. It will help you
contact all your banks in a timely manner in case the cards are lost or stolen.
• Don't let your credit/debit card leave your sight. It is quick and easy for a store employee to copy
your card information when you are not looking.
• Doublecheck your browser when paying for an item online. If the URL does not start with “https,” it
is not secure and could be a scam. The “s” stands for “secure browser.”
• Keep up to date on the most recent frauds such as the “Bank Examiner” scam and the “Grandparent”
scam. Don’t give out bank account numbers or personal information over the phone. Also, remember
to slow down and ask many questions.
• Don’t let “Porch Pirates” steal your goods. If you are having an online order delivered, follow your
package by getting a tracking number and trying to be home when the package is scheduled to arrive.
If you cannot be home when a package arrives, reroute the package to be delivered to your work or
the house of a family member or friend who is home during the day.
Call the Edina Police Department’s non-emergency phone number, 952-826-1610, with any questions.
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