#25WaysToStaySafe

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  1. Doublecheck web addresses before making online purchases and check for a https not just a http. S stands for secure and will also show a padlock symbol on address bar. —Holly W.
  2. The holiday season is a great time to get to know your neighbors. This includes the people who live next door, across the street and over the back fence. Neighbors watching out for neighbors help keep an eye out for suspicious activity and make communities safer. —Melissa S.
  3. Change the PIN on your debit/credit card periodically during the holidays or after a vacation or traveling. —Lynnette B.
  4. When a store clerk asks if you want your receipt “in your bag” or “with you”, always opt for "with you". If your shopping bags are stolen (or lost), at least you'll have a receipt indicating exactly what was taken from you to provide to police. —Lindsey P.
  5. When out holiday shopping, don't leave items visible inside your car instead lock them in your trunk. —Carol Z.
  6. Purchase a personalized reloadable card to use for extra shopping/online shopping  this keeps your main account safe. —Gail R.
  7. What's in Your Wallet: Too Much Information? The repercussions of losing your wallet can be a disaster for you and a field day for an identity thief.  —Kateryna H.
  8. Pack warm gear and emergency supplies in your trunk for anything that could happen while you are traveling for the holidays. —Danielle H.
  9. Manage stress by keeping commitments and spending in check. Balance work, home and play. Maybe use a day of PTO to do shopping and get support from your family and friends if needed. Most importantly, make sure to get enough quality sleep every day. —Christina O.
  10. Teach children to go to a store clerk or security guard if they become separated and be sure they know their first and last name. Give children a contact phone number that they can carry on their person in case they do become lost. —Melissa S.
  11. Use timers on your lighting when you are traveling for holiday celebrations to give your home the feel that someone is there if you are going to be away. —Eric N.
  12. USPS Informed Delivery is free and can be setup all online easily so you can see what is coming in the mail every day. In addition, UPS MyChoice and FedEx Delivery Manager allow you to do everything that Informed Delivery offers, but in addition, you can reroute packages if you are out of town or don't want them delivered because you are concerned about a certain expensive gift being stolen off the porch. —Mike T.
  13. Use a mobile app such as Life360 to communicate with and locate family members. It can show history, call 911 for help and notify of local emergency events. —Lynnette B.
  14. Many people celebrate the season by attending holiday parties with family and friends. Enjoy responsibly so this time of joy does not become a time of tragedy. Watch how much you drink. Don’t drink then drive; get a ride with someone who is sober. Or prearrange transportation if you plan on consuming alcoholic beverages. —Melissa S.
  15. When traveling in bad weather, inform a friend or relative of your proposed route and expected time of arrival. —Sara J.
  16. Don't be afraid to keep your personal space to avoid others that may be peaking over your shoulder to see your PIN or other information. —Chris K.
  17. Set your phone to lock after one minute of inactivity and use the fingerprint option to unlock it if you can. You can also use your fingerprint to access WESTconsin's Mobile App, no need to remember a username or password. —Jenny B.
  18. Be aware of your surroundings. Keep your head up, don't be on your phone, and look alert so you're less approachable to someone looking to catch you off guard. —Megan H.
  19. If someone comes to your door asking for charitable donations, ask for identification, and find out how the funds will be used. If you aren't satisfied, don't give. Help a charitable organization you know and like instead. —Sara J.
  20. When using an ATM, gas pump or any other device that takes credit or debit cards inspect the card slot carefully for a skimming device by tugging on it, as most skimmers just have a small amount of adhesive on them and will usually fall off. —Eric S.
  21. Know where your checkbook, debit card and credit cards are at all times. Don't leave them in unattended vehicles. —Stephanie D.
  22. Check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com right after the holidays to make sure fraudulent charges were not put against any of your accounts. —Eric N.
  23. Set up alerts on your phone from your financials, this is a good way to keep track of your things, and maybe something that has not been authorized by yourself.  The faster you know the faster it can be taken care of. —Kelly F.
  24. The number one mistake that people make who end up falling for romance, online loan, employment, and lottery scams is they give out their username and password to their online banking. A legitimate employer or loan company will NEVER ask for this. —Mic N.
  25. Keep your friends and relatives' information secure during the holidays by shredding the return address labels on holiday card envelopes. —Patty B.

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