THE Bluff CPF warns the public of increased criminal activity as the Black Friday shopping frenzy approaches on November 28 and urges residents to be vigilant and take precautions, both in-store and online.

Also read: Become a volunteer at The Bluff CPF

The CPF reminded shoppers to not let the excitement of finding bargains overshadow basic safety awareness.

“Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and unfortunately, that also makes it a prime time for criminals. Whether you’re shopping at a crowded mall or from the comfort of your home, your safety and financial security should always come first,” the Bluff CPF said in a statement.

Here are some valuable tips to consider when shopping this Black Friday.

Safety tips in stores:

• Be more careful in crowded shops and aisles, which provide an opportunity for pickpocketing.
• Avoid displaying valuables such as phones, jewellery or cash.
• Make sure your purse is always zipped and close to you and never leave it unattended.
• Most importantly, carry your wallet in an inside pocket, not in your back pocket.
• Make certain the credit card transaction is processed in your presence.
• If you are shopping with children, plan ahead and arrange a safe meeting place if you get separated.

Online safety tips:

• Verify the authenticity of the retailer before buying anything. Do not click on suspicious links or ads with unrealistic discounts.
• Always type the website URL manually in the browser bar and make sure it starts with “https”, which indicates that the connection is secure.
• Never store your card details on retail websites.
• Enable multi-factor authentication – meaning, by a one-time pin or face recognition
• If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is false.

The Bluff CPF also warned residents to watch out for phishing scams, where criminals impersonate well-known retailers or delivery companies in an attempt to obtain personal or banking information.

“Scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated. We urge residents to take a few extra minutes to check online stores and modes of payment before clicking to check out. It’s always better to lose the deal than to lose money that’s hard-earned,” read the statement.

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