Nanaimo RCMP are warning holiday shoppers about thieves looking to take advantage of the year's major spending season. (Flickr)

By Kyle Ireland

HOLIDAY HELLRAISERS

Nanaimo RCMP warn of holiday grinches stealing Christmas cheer

Dec 15, 2019 | 10:59 PM

NANAIMO — The holiday season is a busy time of the year for everyone, including criminals on the look out for an easy windfall.

Many of the crimes committed around the holidays are considered crimes of opportunity and are preventable through awareness and common sense.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said one the major targets for bad guys is mall parking lots. Criminals will take note of where and how certain vehicles park.

“If you see someone that is a little too interested in your vehicle, just move onto another a spot,” O’Brien said. “Also, don’t leave items in the backseat because anything in sight will be gone.”

O’Brien pointed to examples on Vancouver Island where thieves cased Costco and big box store parking lots and stole items while shoppers were loading their vehicle or returning their cart.

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Shoppers can take a lot of preventative measures while buying their holidays gifts. RCMP say credit cards are a prime target for criminals which can be a gateway to massive purchases or identity theft.

O’Brien said credit card thieves will often try to pick up a PIN while standing close during a transaction then look to steal the card later.

“There could be a pick pocketing situation, a theft or a robbery,” O’Brien said. “Also, don’t throw receipts out (near the store). Those can often be used to extrapolate information to make fake credit cards.”

RCMP also recommend having any parcels delivered to a workplace rather than a home address. O’Brien said this eliminates so-called ‘porch pirates’ from taking un-attended delivered goods.

kyle.ireland@jpbg.ca

On Twitter : @Kyle_Ireland31