With the holiday season upon us, the Baltimore County Police Department is stepping up to keep shoppers safe in retail areas. According to a release from the department, residents can expect to see more officers patrolling as part of their annual Holiday Deployment Initiative.
Additionally, scammers are taking advantage of the holiday shopping buzz to dupe consumers, and both the police and financial institutions are issuing warnings. Citing an event hosted by Chase and the Baltimore Police Department, WBALTV reported that shoppers should be wary of too-good-to-be-true online deals and should stick to reputable websites. While shopping on public Wi-Fi, consumers have been warned that their personal information could be at risk. Furthermore, refund scams and "quishing" – a tactic involving QR codes designed to steal information – are being flagged by cybersecurity experts.
For those hitting brick-and-mortar stores, the Baltimore County Police Department advises keeping valuables out of sight in vehicles, being aware of surroundings, and parking in well-lit areas. Kathy Klausmeier, Baltimore County Executive, expressed gratitude for the police's dedication, saying, "Our police officers work tirelessly to ensure families can shop, travel, and celebrate safely," as reported by Fox Baltimore.
On the other hand, Chase offers several tools for consumers to protect themselves, recommending the use of credit cards for purchase protection and staying vigilant against phishing attempts, including those via suspicious texts or emails. And, after falling victim to a scam, stopping communication and reporting the incident plays an essential for damage control, according to a WBALTV report. They also stress the importance of monitoring for identity theft and staying alert for follow-up scams, which could prey upon previously scammed individuals.
