Credit: Abington Police
The attack and robbery a 66-year-old woman exiting Macy’s at the Willow Grove Mall in Abington, Montgomery County on Monday at the height of holiday shopping season is bound to make anyone heighten their awareness as they leave local shopping destinations.
While police have a pretty clear surveillance photo of the suspect, the crime that sent the woman to the hospital for treatment for her wounds reminds us that similar crime can happen at the Oxford Valley Mall or anywhere else.
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The National Crime Prevention Council presents the following holiday shopping safety tips:
- Do not buy more than you can carry. Plan ahead by taking a friend with you or ask a store employee to help you carry your packages to the car.
- Save all receipts. Print and save all confirmations from your online purchases. Start a file folder to keep all receipts together and to help you verify credit card or bank statements as they come in.
- Consider alternate options to pay for your merchandise, such as onetime or multiuse disposable credit cards or money orders, at online stores and auction sites.
- Wait until asked before taking out your credit card or checkbook. An enterprising thief would love to shoulder surf to get your account information.
- Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The same applies if you are using mass transit.
- Deter pickpockets. Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet inside a coat or front trouser pocket.
- Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.
- Do not leave packages visible in your car windows. Lock them in the trunk or, if possible, take them directly home.
