This coming weekend is predicted to be one of the biggest in retail sales for 2012. Last minute shoppers will be flocking to the malls to purchase gifts for friends and family to fulfill holiday obligations. If you know you’ll be part of this onslaught, be sure to protect your belongings from thieves who will no question be watching and looking for opportunities.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, the most common complaint is identity theft. All a thief has to do is get a hold of your wallet or purse and you’re on your way to having to shut down all credit cards, change locks on your house, and putting a hold on all debit cards. There are a few things to take into consideration to lower your risk of becoming a victim.
First of all, whenever you are out shopping, whether it be at a mall or chain store, be sure to keep your valuables close to you. You may have a false sense of security because you’ve done it a million times before and it’s never been a problem, but never leave your purse in an unattended shopping cart. If you carry a purse, keep it closed and under your arm. Don’t put your wallet out on a counter for everyone to see the amount of money you are carrying around.
Most of all be aware of your surroundings! Before you leave the mall, have your keys out and remember where you’ve parked prior walking out to the big parking lot. Always try to park in well-lit areas and try to finish your shopping while there’s still daylight. If possible, have a shopping buddy with you and stay close together as you walk out to the lot. Don’t leave anything of value inside your car where it is visible to people walking by and always make sure you lock your doors.
If you have been caught for stealing someone else’s valuables during this holiday season, and are a first time offender, you can expect some jail time, fines, lawyer fees, and court appearances which will take you out of work or school. Judges today also assign theft diversion classes as part of the restitution in an attempt to teach the perpetrator why their behavior is unacceptable and ways in which to overcome the desire. The one thing you can do to try to lesson this load a bit is to get your judge’s approval to take a class online rather than in a traditional classroom.
Online theft classes are easily accessible from Ipads, PCs, and laptops. Nothing needs to be downloaded or printed out, so all you need is a WIFI Hotspot and you are on your way. The difference between taking a class online and one in a classroom is that you can take them from the comfort of your own home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You don’t need to follow someone else’s schedule, but can login and out from the course whenever you have the time. They can also be accomplished more quickly because you have the ability to sit down and go through the class over one entire weekend, instead of having to wait weeks for the traditional class to convene. They also provide complete privacy and anonymity. The only people who need to know that you are taking the class are your attorney and judge. You don’t need to go into a classroom full of people you may or may not know. At the end of the course, a Certificate of Completion will be mailed to you. This is the document you show to the court to prove you successfully completed the requirement. Enroll in an online theft class today to get this experience behind you.
