Purse snatchers

[MDelorisR]

We have been having trouble with purse snatchers lately, and I thought I'd share a few safety tips with you, and maybe you could share some with me. So far the ladies have been lucky in that they only lost their purses, and not their lives!
If you are in the store and want to put your purse in a shopping cart....set your purse in the kid seat, (that is if you don't have a kid in it already). Take the strap of your purse and loop it over the top of the handle and bring it back up to where you can then slip your purse into the loop. Never, I repeat NEVER leave your purse open so people can see what is in there.
When walking in a store, or out of a store, my keys are in my hand. If I were to get attacked I could use them as a weapon.
When returning to your car, look around to see who is around you. When you approach your car, look in to make sure nobody is hiding in it. Also, look at the reflections in the windows, you can see what is behind you without turning around.
Oh, and never show how much money you have if you can help it.
I know most of you probably already do these things, but sometimes it's the little things people forget about that make all the difference.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?


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[theresa126]

Often I walk into a store with only my credit card, ID, and coupons in my pocket. I also try to park near a "landmark" so that I am not wandering around the parking lot trying to remember where I left my car.


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[MDelorisR]

Originally posted by theresa126
Often I walk into a store with only my credit card, ID, and coupons in my pocket. I also try to park near a "landmark" so that I am not wandering around the parking lot trying to remember where I left my car.


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Those are some great ideas....thanks theresa!!!

[3tbear]

Never park next to a van, you never know who will be hiding there and can grab you.

It's best not to carry a pocketbook, it just makes you a target for criminals.

When traveling, use travel pouches that buckle around your waist and pouches that hang from a cord on your neck.

Never put money in a back pocket, you're just asking for trouble.


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[MDelorisR]

Great suggestions 3tbear!!!

Anyone else have any suggestions? Just look at this as a refresher course....remind us again of the things you do...

[chippers21]

I park under lights if I am out at night. I look around me constantly, and never allow myself to get into deep thought in the parking lot. Stay aware and alert is my motto.
I wear a hip pack and never carry a purse. Might look silly but I feel more secure. I cannot tell you how many purses I have seen just lying in carts in stores, with their owners off looking at a product.....Sometimes I am brave and call their attention to what they are doing. They may not appreciate my interference but then again, a friendly reminder could acutally help someone keep from being ripped-off.
My brother has lost his wallet by laying it down for about 30 seconds at a check-out. A girlfriend was mugged in front of her daughter and mine at a beach resort. And I lost my wallet once by laying it on the top of the setting box at a car wash, and driving off- when I returned less than 5 minutes later it was gone.
Lock you car.
Carry pepper spray in your hand as you walk through parking lot.
NEVER give a stranger a ride or accept one from a stranger. (as obvious as this seems, I did accept a ride home from a total stranger once, never again.)

And fight like crazy. Never drive away with an abductor. You are likely to end up as a body in the woods somewhere. I would rather die right there in the parking lot. Fighting gives you a chance at least.


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[cata5]

I am always surprised to see women walk away from their purses in the store. If mine is in the front of the cart, I have the strap wound around my wrist. Usually, I wear my purse not on my shoulder , but the strap up and over my head so the strap crosses my torso. have to admit that I don't see many others doing this, but then I can have my purse in front of me where I can have a hand on it if necessary. I have done this for years. I also use fanny packs especially if I am outdoors like at a fair or garage saling or riding my bike somewhere.

Dd carries a small purse which is open on top and no matter what I say, she leaves it in the cart unsupervised. Or maybe she thinks I am watching it.(which I usually am!)

The best thing to do is carry only what you will need...in the event that you DO lose yor purse or have it stolen. (I am trying to follow that advice, but old habits are hard to break.)

Just in case, have your cc/bank info organized in case you need to cancel cards, etc.


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[tkkmasky]

Great tips!

Also, to avoid identity theft if you do get your purse stolen, don't carry your social security card with you, and watch for your SS number on your medical cards, ours used put it on there but I asked them to take it off and they did! So if the worst does happen at least theives won't have that. And just yesterday I was opening an account at a video store and the form asked for my SS number. NO way was I going to give it to them. I don't give it out unless I HAVE to, no even to credit card companies, usually just for tax purposes.

And great point chippers....I'm going to teach my daughters that, to FIGHT with all your might. Do anything you can to hurt him, ram something in his eye, kick, scream, and DON'T under any circumstances get into a vehicle. I heard on a crime TV show that even if he has a gun, to still run rather than get in the car. Odds are only like 2 out of 10 that he will even be able to hit a moving target, and even if he does, it could very well be your arm, etc. instead of something vital. You still have a better chance at living than if you get in the car.

Anyway, this may be a dumb question but where do you get pepper spray? I've always wanted to get some.


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[NaomiMarie]

Just kick 'em where the sun don't shine, guaranteed to work!

[cujo0123]

My grandmother (who is scared of her own shadow) told me the other day she uses the child seat belts that are in shopping carts and puts it through the straps of her purse so that nobody can just grab it.

If you feel in danger stick a key between each finger so that if you have to "throw a punch" the key will stab them. If you punch someone in the throat the right way you can make them stop breathing for long enough to get away. But learn the right way to do it. I can't explain it without pictures.

For women, a good place to put money is in your bra. Yes I am serious. While you can't do that for all the places you go (ex. church) you can for places like the fair/amusement parks.

My car has keyless entry and the car lights up when I press the button. It also only opens the drivers door if I press the button once. That way nobody can get in my car from the other side. If I press it twice all the doors open but I only do that if someone is with me and will be getting in on the opposite side of me. Also, keep your doors locked while driving.

If you have a bad feeling or if you are not in the best of places. Many stores have security guards that will walk you out to your car. Hospitals do this too.

NEVER give a stranger a ride or accept one from a stranger. (as obvious as this seems, I did accept a ride home from a total stranger once, never again.)

I always ask from inside my car if there is a number I can call for them but I don't give rides or take them.

Anyway, this may be a dumb question but where do you get pepper spray? I've always wanted to get some.

That is NOT a dumb question. Many people don't know that some pepper sprays are very poor quality because the manufacturers bet on you not using the product. The best place to get pepper spray is from the police. If you have a cop friend it makes it easier but if not the police department can tell you what the best is. Cheap pepper sprays can explode in your hand or spray you instead which puts you in worse danger. I used to work with lots of police and they told me that information.

Back to purse snatchers, doing something as simple as sticking your foot out to trip them can sometimes be enough to catch them off guard and bring attention to them. That is usually the trick to take care of yourself and help get them caught.


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[avsfan]

When you get in your car, lock it immediately. Women tend to feel safe once that door is closed. But this is when we're vulnerable... we get in, close the door, and immediately pay no attention to the world outside the car. We're dealing with the kids, looking in our purse, checking out the mail, packages, receipts, whatever that we just got...

Always look people in the eye. Not only are you aware, but criminals believe you are aware. They want to prey on those who are unaware! So don't walk to your car with your head down or looking in your purse for your keys or fussing with your child...

And if you are attacked, my brother who is a martial arts instructor, suggests jabbing at the eyes, not a groin kick... although any defense is good! Flail and scream and run!


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[pandybat]

A while back, I saw a show on defense for women and they did a survey of how many women drive their vehicles with their purses sitting on the passengers seat next to them. These people stood out on a busy street corner and counted how many cars stopped at the light that had billfolds and purses sitting on the passengers seat next to the drivers. You wouldn't have believed it. Nearly every woman that came by had her purse sitting on the seat. Just a few men had their wallets in the seat.
Then, they talked about how easy it would be for someone to reach in and take those items with or without the window up. Thieves have these little things, I don't remember what they are called but they kinda looked like knitting needles. They could walk right up to your car as you are sitting at the light, take this little needle type thing and gently push in just the right place on your window and it would shatter. They would reach in, grab your purse and take off. By the time you got out of your car, they were long gone. They showed this happening at an intersection via video camera. The woman just sat there shocked and stunned.

Or you could just make it easier for them by leaving your doors unlocked and they could just open the door and get it or get in with you........yikes!

Lock your doors and put your purse in the floorboard.

[MDelorisR]

These are great suggestions.....I really didn't think I'd get this many replies to it....thanks DODers....

[jeskibuff]

Originally posted by cujo0123
For women, a good place to put money is in your bra.

My definition of "milk money" has just undergone a radical change!

[MDelorisR]

Originally posted by jeskibuff


My definition of "milk money" has just undergone a radical change!

OMG LMBO That's too funny jeskibuff!!!