Tips for a safe and secure holiday season from the North Vancouver RCMP

‘Tis the season and with the holidays on the horizon, thousands of patrons will look to begin purchasing gifts for their friends and loved ones. Whether it be in person or online, the North Vancouver RCMP have put together a series of practical tips to help you avoid potential Scrooges.

Take care when purchasing second-hand items from online marketplaces

Platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace are convenient for holiday shopping but can pose safety risks. Protect yourself by:

• Meeting somewhere public like a mall, food court, coffee shop or your local police station’s safe exchange zone.
• Bringing along a friend to have an extra set of ears and eyes to identify any potential trouble.
• Ensuring you have valid contact information from a seller or buyer, including a phone number.
• Trusting your gut. Walk away from a transaction if it doesn’t feel right.

For anyone meeting in person to complete an online transaction, we strongly encourage using the safe exchange zone outside the North Vancouver RCMP detachment at 147 E 14th St., said Cst. Mansoor Sahak, spokesperson for the North Vancouver RCMP. It’s a secure and convenient place to help ensure your safety.

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Beware of online scams

Holiday scammers often take advantage of seasonal excitement and high demand. Last year, victims in North Vancouver lost money to fraudulent Taylor Swift ticket sales. Sidestep these scams by:

• Avoiding sending money to strangers. Use secure payment options whenever possible.
• Being cautious of urgent deals. Scammers often pressure buyers to act quickly to prompt action without due diligence.
• Looking out for red flags. If a price is drastically lower than normal, it’s likely a scam.

Be mindful of porch pirates

"This time of year, we often see an increase in packages being stolen from front porches," explains Sahak. "Taking simple precautions when ordering and receiving deliveries can make a big difference. For example, providing detailed delivery instructions to keep packages out of sight can significantly reduce the risk."

General steps to take to help keep deliveries safe:

• Talk to your family, friends and neighbours about package thefts and look out for one another.
• Install a motion activated spotlight.
• Post a warning sign that the premises are under surveillance.
• Install a parcel box near your door.
• Install a front door security camera or video doorbell.
• Keep your front porch clear and well-lit.
• If you live in a building, do not let strangers in via intercom, by holding the door open for them or by giving them access to different floors.

While ordering, consider:

• Requesting that the box be nondescript.
• Sending packages to a secure location (work, pick up location).
• Requiring a signature.
• Providing delivery instructions (i.e. to leave the package in a specific location so it is out of sight).
• Asking the person that you are shipping a package to where they would like it sent and if there are any specific instructions.
  

After ordering, consider:

• Tracking your deliveries and picking them up as soon as possible

If you see something suspicious, or have had mail or packages stolen, please contact the North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311 or visit our online crime reporting page.