Black Friday Safety Tips

Ready to shop ’til you drop this Black Friday? Prepare for your extensive shopping trip by checking out these tips!

• Keep your purse and wallet close to your body.
• Only take necessary credit cards and minimal cash.
• Shop with one credit card, it is safer because it’s easy to cancel one credit card then worrying about which ones may have gotten stolen.
• If you can, put your cards and cash in your front pocket to avoid any possible pick-pocketers. 
• If you do choose to use money for your purchases, think about getting the money out of the ATM or bank a couple days before Black Friday. Thieves keep a close eye on ATM’s and find it as an easy spot to attack. 
• Lock all purchased items in your trunk and out of thieves’ visibility if you are traveling from store to store. 
• SAVE ALL RECEIPTS. In case of an incorrect charge or purchase it is always smart to keep track of your spending with receipts. 
• Don’t take cash out of your pocket or purse until absolutely necessary. Do not flash unnecessary cash around. 
• Park your vehicle in a well-lit area. If you are a midnight shopper, be aware of your surroundings when approaching your car. Also, take caution when backing out of parking spaces. 
• Try to stay in places with high security in case of an emergency. Malls, outlets and retail stores tend to amp up security on Black Friday. 
• If you and a group of friends or family decide to split up, pick a time and place to meet up. Cell phone reception tends to be mediocre in large malls, stores and retail outlets. 
• If you decide to shop online MAKE SURE you are shopping from a secure site. Do not shop at a site that looks sketchy and you are not familiar with. 
• Do not fight over an item. If someone is being difficult let them have their way, you don’t want to risk an aggressor getting physical.
• Stay hydrated and make sure you stop somewhere and get a bite to eat. 
• Do not carry important items in your wallet (i.e. social security cards) in case of a lost or stolen wallet. 
• Make a schedule. Plan out what time you are going to go to what store and when you may move locations. Plan for traffic.

Black Friday is a busy day of the year. Whether you’re on the road traveling or shopping in the mall, Seubert wants to make sure you’re safe and take precaution before you head out for the holidays adventures. Most people are usually out and about to save as much money as possible for the busy season coming, but some people’s intentions might not be so pure. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep these tips in consideration.