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Seasonal Safety Tips

Kelowna

2024-12-16 09:45 PST

We’re offering these tips to help your holidays stay safe and crime-free.

be on the look out for the package delivery scam. This involves getting an urgent text or email asking you to click on a link for several fake reasons such as tracking your package. Clicking the link could give the scammer access to your personal information, don’t do it;
gift card scams start with an urgent call, text, email, or social media message. Scammers will say almost anything to get you to buy gift cards like Google Play, Apple, or Amazon cards and hand over the card number and PIN codes. If it doesn’t make sense, it’s probably a scam;
as you purchase more items online, there is a greater chance you will start to receive random text messages asking you to redeem a coupon or that your credit card has been compromised. This is a scam, don’t click any links sent to you by a random text message;
scammers often prey on the fear of loved ones being hurt or in trouble. They will claim to be someone you know and tell you they need money immediately because someone has been arrested or in a car crash or is stuck in another country. Scammers like to prey on the elderly community;
fraudsters try to contact you via email or text message, claiming to be a loved one asking for a favour. For this favour, they'll ask you to send money or gift cards to help them out. Educate your elderly loved ones about this scam;
if you are still waiting for a package this holiday season be cautious of any calls or emails you receive with a sense of urgency. Cybercriminals are after your personal identity and information and are hoping the stress of the holiday season gives them a way in;
during the holidays, cybercriminals like to use social media to draw you in. You might see promotions or contests offering gift cards or vouchers in exchange for simply completing an online survey. Unfortunately, the survey usually isn’t legit. It’s only a means of capturing your personal information to commit identity fraud or other types of cybercrime.

Shopping in Person

try not to take your eyes off your debit or credit card when someone else is handling it;
keep watch of your personal belongings at all times – don’t leave your purse unattended;
when shopping this holiday season, remember don’t leave your purchased packages unattended on your backseats. Slide your packages into the trunk of your vehicle where they are out of sight;
remember to lock your vehicle’s doors. Far too often do thieves get into a vehicle because the doors have been unlocked;
when possible park your vehicle in a well-lit area. Thieves tend to use the cover of darkness to look inside vehicles and look for unlocked doors;
if your vehicle is broken into or damaged, call police immediately on the non-emergency line at 250-762-3300 to report it. If you witness a crime in progress, stay safe and call 9-1-1 immediately;
keep your garage door opener out of sight. Store it in a glove box or other concealed place or when you head into a store take it with you when you go;
keep your valuables out of sight, the top three most attractive items for thieves are phones and personal electronics, work tools, and credit cards or your identification.

Celebrating

Whether your celebrations include a larger gathering or just with your household, ensure you plan ahead for a safe ride home. Drinking and driving is not an option.

It’s holiday party time and if you’re hosting guests, be a responsible host! Never serve alcohol to a minor, see guests in and out to assess their condition and provide alternate means of getting home safely including taxis;
Kelowna RCMP Traffic Services are out in full force this holiday season keeping the roads safe with check stops set up throughout the city. Plan a safe ride home and never drive under the influence;
If you are traveling the highways and mountain passes for the holidays, winter tires or chains are required on most routes in British Columbia until April 30th;
The RCMP remind drivers there is a $109 fine for not brushing the snow off your vehicle following a snowfall. The fine is for Drive while view obstructed;
Whether you are drinking or consuming drugs before, during or after your holiday party this season, don’t get behind the wheel and drive while under the influence, it’s not worth it! Plan a safe ride home for yourself and others on the road.

Struggling with the Holidays?

The holiday season can be overwhelming and extremely stressful for some. We understand the holidays are not necessarily enjoyed by everyone and can include struggles with loneliness, depression and worry. Keep an eye out for each other and check in on your loved ones.

If you are finding it difficult getting through the holidays, you are not alone. Here are some resources that can help you through challenging times (these will have links embedded:

Suicide Hotline – call 1-800-SUICIDE

Crisis Centre

Youth in BC– support and information for anyone under 35

Family Services

Foodbank

Salvation Army

Cartoon photo of Santa and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer standing in front of police truck on skis and Christmas tree and presents in the background