City of Hillsboro, OR
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Holiday Shopping Safety Tips
Protect Yourself & Your Holiday Gift Giving This Season
Post Date:11/03/2025
In-Person Shopping
- Shop with family & friends.
- Carry only the cash & cards you need.
- Lock your vehicle.
- Stay aware of your surroundings. Be mindful of people who may try to distract you.
- Don't leave your purse and/or your packages freely in your cart.
- Have your keys in hand before leaving the store. If it's dark and you're uncomfortable walking to your vehicle, ask if security will escort you.
- Conceal purchases in the back of your vehicle BEFORE leaving for your next destination; NOT before going into a store.
- Practice patience. Expect long lines and don't engage in bad behavior.
Online Shopping
- Keep your operating system and software up to date.
- Shop on websites you've had positive interactions with.
- Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi.
- Only make purchases from secure websites. Look for the padlock icon. The URL in the address bar will start with https (instead of http).
- Use strong passwords & enable two-factor authentication.
- Do NOT click on unknown links and attachments. Misspellings and grammatical errors are red flags.
- Track your package delivery date. If you won't be home, have it delivered to your work or a trusted neighbor. You can also have it held for pick-up at the store or package handling center.
- Monitor your credit & debit card transactions for fraudulent charges.
