Attention shoppers: Be cautious

Monday, Dec. 22, 1997 | 11:01 a.m.

As folks get more high tech, so do those who prey upon them.

As a result, Metro Police are cautioning people who intend to use their credit cards for Internet purchases this Christmas holiday season.

"You have to be careful with your credit card number because you don't know who is seeing it over the Internet," said Stephanie Cannito, a Metro crime prevention specialist. "There definitely is potential for problems."

As Christmas nears, police also are reporting success with the SHOP -- Safe Holiday Observations Patrol -- program in its second year at the Boulevard and Meadows malls.

"It has helped reunite lost children with their parents and, in at least one instance, halted a potential car break-in," said Ron Corbin, a Metro civilian crime prevention specialist who implemented the program last year after studying its success rate in California cities.

SHOP is a watchdog program that utilizes 40 volunteers who are graduates of the Metro Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.

They walk around stores and parking lots like ordinary Christmas shoppers. When they see a suspicious person following a shopper or trying to break into a car, they use a two-way radio to contact mall security dispatch and give a description of what is going on and the location.

"They are trained to be good witnesses and they follow strict guidelines," said Corbin, a retired Los Angeles Police Department officer. "They are not allowed to get into even verbal conflicts (with potential suspects) because that can lead to a more volatile situation."

Sometimes, Corbin said, a stern look is enough to send trouble-makers fleeing, as in the case of the would-be parking lot vandal.

The SHOP team this year also has been responsible for helping reduce mischief caused by youths hanging around the malls and has given shoplifters another obstacle with which to deal, Corbin said.

Still, police warn that people have to take responsibility for themselves because SHOP volunteers, security and police cannot be everywhere at all times.

"One thing we are stressing is that people not keep their receipts in the bag with the merchandise they purchase," Cannito said.

"There have been instances when burglars have broken into a car trunk, stole the merchandise along with the receipts and returned them to the store to get a refund.

"If you keep the receipts in your wallet it will make it more difficult for the thieves to get money for the merchandise."

Cannito also says that pickpockets and purse-snatchers lurk about during busy shopping seasons. She suggests that folks take just one credit card or a debit card with them, and very little cash.

"Men tend to think that they are not as much a target as women with purses, but we see so many men walking around with their wallets part way out of their back pocket," she said.

"Men should keep their wallet -- or just a credit card and their driver's license -- in their front shirt pocket. You don't need to carry every credit card you own when you go shopping."

Metro has long cautioned women shoppers to avoid carrying large purses, and instead use smaller ones that can be carried inside clothing with fairly deep pockets.

For women who want to carry large purses, it is recommended that they keep only nonessential items in them so that a thief will wind up with little more than tissues and makeup.

Cannito also says people need to keep their wits about them, especially in these last few shopping days before Christmas.

"So you will not be preoccupied, select one day to take the children Christmas shopping or to see Santa Claus," she said. "Then, on the day you are ready to do your shopping, leave the children with a babysitter so you will not be distracted at the stores."

Cannito, who also is Metro's Neighborhood Watch coordinator, says it is never too late to form a group to watch each other's homes, especially at Christmas and New Year's when people are away visiting relatives.

The Nevada Attorney General's office also warns that scam artists are around in significant numbers during the Yuletide season -- especially as Christmas nears and the spirit of giving grows.

"When making a charitable donation, it always pays to be cautious," Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said. "It is worth the extra time to ask questions about the nature and activities of an organization to help ensure that the cause is worthwhile.

"Basically, check out the charity before you write out the check."

The attorney general's office says "red flags" to look for include charities with names similar to established charities that also are out in force during the Christmas season.

Crooks also use high-pressure tactics, especially when working door-to-door. Phone sales scam artists will offer to send couriers to pick up donations at a home -- a practice that is not used by legitimate charities.

Consumers also are warned not to give credit card numbers over the phone and to be cautious of sweepstakes or contests.

Nevada law was changed July 1 to prohibit misrepresentation in the solicitation of charitable donations. Violations carry a $2,500 civil penalty. A second offense is a misdemeanor, but subsequent violations are felonies.

For more safety information check out the Metro Police website on the Internet at http://www.co.clark.nv.us/metro/police.htm.