When the holiday shopping season begins and vehicles are filled with presents and high value items, criminals will be window shopping in parking lots looking for easy targets. Have a safe and happy holiday by following these simple tips:

Additional Tips

• Hide Your Valuables: Don’t leave valuables in plain sight. Whether you're home or not, keep them out of view from windows and vehicles.
• Avoid storing personal information in your vehicle: If you keep personal documents such as insurance or registration in your vehicle, keep them in a secure location. To avoid becoming a victim of identity theft it’s recommended not to leave any personal documentation in your vehicle.
• Ensure all of your doors and windows are locked.
• Always Close Your Garage: Before leaving or heading inside, double-check that your garage door is fully closed. A simple mistake can make your home vulnerable to theft.
• Outdoor Lighting: Ensure your property is well-lit, especially around entrances. Motion-sensor lights can deter burglars and keep you safe.
• Online Fraud Protection: Be cautious with your personal information online. Watch for phishing scams and avoid sharing sensitive details over unsecured networks.
• Remove Garage Door Opener: When parked outside, always remove your garage door opener from your vehicle. Thieves can use it to gain access to your garage and home.
• Never leave your vehicle unattended while running: An Idling car is an easy target for thieves. Always lock your doors and take your keys with you to prevent theft.

Beware of Porch Pirates

• Track your package and aim to have it delivered when you are home or have someone else pick it up.
• Have packages delivered to your workplace or another trusted person if you can’t be home.
• For Amazon packages, if you can’t be home arrange for the delivery at a secure pickup location.
• If you have a doorbell camera, position it to record images of any potential thief’s face.

Stay secure, and if you see something suspicious, remember to call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.

REMEMBER: IF THEY CAN'T SEE IT, THEY CAN'T STEAL IT

• Auto theft costs Albertans $60 million a year in insurance claims.
• Many vehicles are stolen from parking lots, shopping centres, airports and even residential driveways.