WSVN — The holiday shopping season gets into full swing this week and while most of us are searching for deals, criminals are hunting for steals. 7’s Carmel Cafiero with how to do your shopping safely.
Watch the man in this retail store surveillance video. He puts his bag on a display table and walks away. Big mistake. A woman, passing through the store, moves in and takes off with his bag. Hundreds of dollars in merchandise gone in a matter of minutes.
Detective Anna Howell: "One thing that we’re noticing lately in the stores are, there are groups of people that walk in and they just look for unattended items."
Aventura police are on high alert for thieves during the holidays.
Detective Anna Howell: "People need to just be aware of their surroundings."
But it’s easy to get distracted. This woman stood in the street for more than a minute– tapping away on her cell phone.
Detective Anna Howell: "She was in the middle of the road, anybody could have just walked up, taken that purse, and she’s still not even paying attention."
But thieves are paying attention, and police say, they’re working together.
Detective Anna Howell: "There’s always the lookout, there’s always, you know, a get-away car, there’s always a person that actually takes the items."
Holiday shoppers are prime targets for pickpockets. At this supermarket, a woman distracts the victim while an accomplice reaches into her shopping cart and steals her wallet. And this, just stinks. Aventura police has received several reports of thieves reaching over bathroom stalls to steal items on door hooks.
Detective Anna Howell: "Sadly enough, they know that your guard is down at that moment and it’s a shame because now even in the bathrooms, you have to definitely pay attention."
Trouble could also follow you to the parking lot. This shopper bought two large T.V.’s that both went into the backseat of her car. If a thief was watching?
Detective Anna Howell: "They might drive around and follow her and see where she goes, if she goes to maybe another parking lot. If you purchase something that’s very, very expensive, make sure you go straight to the car and go home."
And you can be a target at home. An estimated 46 percent of holiday shopping will be done online. Look for this padlock icon on your browser indicating a website has a secure connection before entering credit card information.
Carmel Cafiero: "If it seems like there are more ways than ever to steal from us, well there are. But by being alert and shopping smart, you can keep the ho, ho, ho in your holiday. Carmel Cafiero, 7News."