GOOD NEWS: BBB offers tips for holiday season

The Christmas season is a time when busy people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. The following tips from the Better Business Bureau can help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season.

Automated Teller Machines (ATM)

• If you must use an ATM, choose one that is located inside a police station, mall, or well-lighted location. Withdraw only the amount of cash you need.
• Protect your PIN by shielding the ATM keypad from anyone who is standing near you. After you have entered your PIN number, place your fingers on other keys.  This will stop con artists who are trying to steal your PIN number using new infrared techniques.
• Do not throw your ATM receipt away at the ATM location.

Shopping

Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member. Dress casually and comfortably. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.

Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible.  Also, consider keeping your credit and debit cards in a different place than your wallet. That way, if your wallet is stolen, they will only get away with limited personal and financial information. Always carry your Driver License or Identification Card along with necessary cash, checks and/or a credit card you expect to use.

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Keep cash in your front pocket.
• Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.
• Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused. Call the credit bureaus and place a Fraud Alert on your account. This will stop anyone from using your credit report to obtain credit, loans, etc. using your information.
• Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home. Make a photocopy of your driver’s license. Should it be stolen, you’ll need dates that can only be found on your license.
• Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation terminals, bus stops, on buses and other rapid transit.

Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, “con-artists” may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

At home

Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes. When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.

• Indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer.
• Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
• Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.

Strangers at your door

• Be aware that criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts.
• It is not uncommon for criminals to take advantage of the generosity of people during the holiday season by soliciting donations door-to-door for charitable causes although no charity is involved.
• Ask for their identification, and find out how the donated funds will be used. If you are not satisfied, do not donate.

In other news:

New grads. Hats off to the 39 students who graduated Sunday from the Charleston School of Law. S.C. Circuit Judge Kristi Lea Harrington told students to continue to provide public service in their careers: “Make this your personal mantra, and remember it in everything you do. It is rewarding and fulfilling to place the needs of the indigent and the defenseless at the forefront of your work. As a lawyer, you may be asked to advocate for individuals desperately in need of help, but without the ability to repay. Remember your calling, and remember your mantra – pro bono populi.”

The Moultrie Middle School team. Click picture to see larger image.

Mock trial winners. Congratulations too to students at Moultrie Middle School, which won the 12^th annual SC Bar Charleston Regional Middle School Mock Trial Competition on Dec. 5. Participating students from Moultrie Middle School included Ben Brice, Henry Brown, Nicholas Brown, Barron Burns, Ben Holsapple, Joy Katzburg, Whitney Knotts, Ally Monts, Emma Nodine, Jesse Palmer, Andrew Peters, Sriram Srinivas, Luke Wallace, Estella Walsh and Laney Winn. The teacher coaches were Garen McDowell (lead teacher), Chris Callanan and Kelly Hodo, and the attorney coaches were Marie-Louise Ramsdale and Audrey R. Brown. A team from Buist Academy was named first runner-up.

Adopt a whale. Here’s an idea for a different holiday gift — adopting one of 11 different humpback and fin whales through the College of the Atlantic’s Adopt a Whale Program. Single whales are $30 while mother-calf pairs are $40. Funds raised through the program benefit Allied Whale, an organization at the Maine college that houses and oldest and largest dedicated whale photo-identification program in the world. More info | Adopt a whale