Are you attractive to thieves?
Every day, thousands of us make ourselves more vulnerable to theft without even knowing it.
We all know never to leave the car keys in the ignition and these days, you’d have to be pretty naïve to announce your holiday plans on Twitter.
However there are other ways to attract a criminal’s attention. Even with adequate insurance, theft can be an expensive and traumatic ordeal.
The right attitude
Muggers can be experts in body language. If you give the impression you are lost, nervous or somewhat worse for wear, you could make yourself an attractive target.
When you’re out in the street try to walk with confidence. Although there are no guarantees, a cowardly attacker may leave you alone if he or she thinks you would put up a fight. Also try to avoid badly lit areas with high crime rates.
Flaunting your wealth
Electronic goods and expensive jewellery are extremely attractive to muggers. If a thief notices one of these desirable items, you are immediately at greater risk. Don’t let attackers know you have anything worth taking.
Try to conceal expensive items beneath your clothing and avoid listening to your iPod in areas you suspect are unsafe.
Likewise, it could be a mistake to leave luggage in your car or display car keys in full view of the living room window.
Picking the wrong parking spot
According to the AA, approximately 20 per cent of car crime takes place in car parks.
If at all possible, be discerning about your choice of parking space. Choosing a well supervised spot with security cameras will reduce the risk of theft.
Not having green fingers
Plenty of us put off working in the garden through lack of time and energy. In doing so, we could be making our homes more vulnerable to burglary.
An overgrown garden can give thieves the chance to lurk undetected and gain entry into your home.
Remember to forward your mail
Forgetting to set up a redirection service on your post when you move house might seem harmless. However, this kind of oversight could put you at risk of identity theft.
By opening your post, a thief may be able to get hold of personal information and even apply for credit in your name.
Sticking to a routine
Some thieves choose victims who observe the same patterns every day. If you always walk along a certain street at a particular time, a mugger may know when you’ll be vulnerable. Small alterations to your routine could take you off a criminal’s radar.
Keeping documents in the car
You might think keeping important documents in your car such as insurance information and registration will help in the event of a breakdown.
However, this move could make things easier for a criminal. With registration documents in hand, the thief could more easily masquerade as the car’s real owner and sell your vehicle.
**This material is for information purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We strongly encourage our readers not to rely solely on this content, but to seek independent advice when making financial decisions.**
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