GIPD Urges Vigilance with Holiday Shopping Season Ahead

Grand Island, Neb. — Christmas Day is a little more than a month away, which means the holiday shopping season is already reaching a fever pitch for many.

Because of the uptick in shopping, the Grand Island Police Department wants to remind consumers to be vigilant when it comes to how they shop and where they spend their money.

“When more people shop, it gives scammers more opportunities as well,” GIPD Captain Dean Elliott said. “It’s important to know the risks that are out there and how to avoid falling victim to some common schemes we see.”

Easy tips to follow include sticking to trusted retailers, using secure payment methods and monitoring your accounts regularly. GIPD also says now is a good time to change or update your online passwords. If you’ve been using the same log-in information for years, it gives scammers more time to collect that information.

Lastly, it’s important to know that no city agency will ask for payment of any debt due via gift cards. If you receive a phone call asking for payments that raises suspicion, you’re encouraged to hang up and call the agency back. This tactic alone can help avoid typical scams that occur over the phone.