Black Friday, Cyber Monday tips: How to have safe holiday shopping in Louisville

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, deals and discounts abound across Louisville shopping centers and online merchants, but experts caution people to prioritize safety while visiting these virtual and brick and mortar storefronts.

Here's what Louisville Metro Police and security experts have said about staying safe while shopping.

LMPD: Be wary of vehicle theft during Black Friday weekend

Auto theft prevention goes "hand in hand with holiday shopping," Louisville Metro Police Sgt. Tony Sacra said.

"Car break-ins at big shopping centers are definitely an opportunity (for criminals) to go out and take advantage of somebody," Sacra said.

Sacra encourages drivers to park in well-lit, busy areas before heading into a store. Never leave your car running, even if you think you'll only be gone for a few minutes — that's how many auto thefts occur, he said.

Sacra also advises people to keep their shopping bags on them as long as they can. Shopping bags and valuable items that are visible through windows can attract car break-ins.

While LMPD is not planning to shift patrol areas or do anything different in response to Black Friday shopping, Sacra noted many shopping centers or businesses hire additional security to help with crowd management during this time. Shoppers should contact that nearby security staff or emergency services if they suspect criminal activity happening around them, Sacra said.

"If you see someone suspicious in the parking lot, report it," Sacra said. "We want people to keep their head on a swivel when they’re out."

Before you even make it to the flurry of different shopping centers and storefronts, it's also important to drive safely. As reported by Guardian Protection, there's often a higher chance of accidents and fender benders during this time of year because more drivers are on the road.

Staying safe inside shopping centers

Once you leave your car and walk through the store doors, it's also important to stay safe while roaming the shopping aisles.

Here's three fast tips from a range of different insurance agencies and security protection experts.

• Leave your purse or bag at home if you can. If possible, keep your wallet, cards and cash in a front pocket "to prevent falling victim to pickpockets," according to Guardian Protection.

• Use only one credit card for purchases. According to AAA Living, while this will also make it easier to monitor only one account and notice any potential fraudulent charges, you also have an increased level of protection against theft. Many credit card companies offer zero-liability policies to protect you from having to pay for fraudulent purchases.

• Have an emergency location meet-up plan. Good deals usually equate to big crowds. If you're shopping with multiple people, especially children, it's important to have a central location to meet up at in case you get separated, the Spada Law Group advises.

Sacra also advises shoppers to not shop alone. As reported in the National Crime Victimization Survey, instances of robbery and larceny increase on average by about 20% in the month of December.

It can be common for two to three people to gather and target a vulnerable individual by themselves, Sacra said.

"If you’re out and about during the holidays, do it in pairs," Sacra said.

Online shopping safety tips for Cyber Monday

While you can now shop for the holidays without even leaving your house, that presents a different set of threats — fraudulent websites, data theft and sneaky malware installation.

Federal Trade Commission reports during the first half of 2023 reveal that the most frequently reported scams on social media are related to online shopping. About 44 percent of reports point to fraud related to buying or selling products online, with most about undelivered products such as no-show clothing items or electronics. According to these reports, these scams most often start with an ad on Facebook or Instagram.

Shoppers should be extra vigilant this year, as supply-chain shortages and shipping delays may prompt scammers to dangle the promise of high-demand items in front of eager buyers.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a governmental operation within the Department of Homeland Security, has released a tip sheet on how to prevent your personal and banking information from being stolen while you shop for online deals.

One of the biggest red flags for this time of year to watch out for may first appear in your email inbox. While many physical and online storefronts may have special holiday offers, you might also get some phishing emails from fraudulent users. These messages are typically designed to look like they’re from retailers but really have malicious links, attachments or instructions to input your financial or personal information.

Security experts advise shoppers to always verify every message by carefully inspecting the email address itself as well as the body of text for any misspellings, inaccuracies or conflicting information. Never provide sensitive information to retailers over email, according to CISA.

But cybersecurity doesn't just stop at where you decide to make purchases. Even if a website seems safe and secure, you need to be extra vigilant when plugging in your payment. CISA recommends shoppers look at an online retailer's privacy policy ahead of time just to be informed about how your personal and financial information may be stored.

The CISA tip sheet also advises shoppers to use a credit card if possible and check your bank statements for any possible fraudulent charges for sometime after making your purchase.

Reach reporter Rachel Smith at rksmith@courierjournal.com or @RachelSmithNews on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Black Friday, Cyber Monday tips for safe shopping