Understanding the Reality of Holiday-Related Crimes

Do Crimes Increase Near the Holidays?

According to reports from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), two specific types of crime increase in December: robbery and personal larceny. These two crimes increase by approximately 20 percent during the last month of the year. However, more violent crimes like murder typically do not increase during this time.

Although it hasn't been extensively studied, experts guess that the reason behind this increase in crimes is related to desperation. Some people are looking for goods to give to family members or friends over the holiday season, while others may simply be facing more financial difficulty as the year comes to an end. In addition, with more people out and about carrying expensive items, the holidays are also the perfect time for opportunistic criminals to strike.

Are the Holidays the Worst Time for Crime?

The holiday season is not the worst time for crimes to occur. In fact, property crimes are highest during the summer months. During the summer, experts can't blame these crimes on holiday desperation. Instead, they assume that the increase is related to the number of young people who are out of school with nothing better to do. It is also important to note that the incidence of all of these types of crime is declining over time, even with spikes in December and the summer months.

What About Cybercrime?

Some news reports have also suggested that cybercrime is more likely during the holiday months. At this time, there hasn't been much research on the issue. However, for the same reasons that property crime increases in December, it makes sense that cybercrime could increase as well.

How Can Consumers Stay Safe?

During the holiday season, consumers can reduce their chances of becoming a victim of property crimes or cybercrimes by:

• Being careful when out and about. - Whether you are out shopping or simply walking from one place to another, be aware of your surroundings. If possible, leave valuables out of sight.

• Avoiding places and situations where crime is likely. - Avoid spending time in poorly lit areas, especially at night. It's also important to avoid neighborhoods with high crime rates.

• Travel in groups. - If you are by yourself, you are more likely to become a victim of a property crime. To reduce your chances of becoming a victim, try to have someone with you as much as possible.

• Use caution on the internet. - During the holiday season, pay special attention to the signs of cybercrime, such as suspicious emails. Don't give your credit card number or any other personal information to anyone you don't know. If you are using your credit card to pay for gifts online, make sure you are making your purchase from a trusted retailer over a secure connection.

• Watch for signs of identity theft. - If you use the internet to shop, you are always at some risk of identity theft. Consider investing in credit monitoring so that you will know immediately if any suspicious activity occurs.

The holiday season is one of the most exciting times of the year, but becoming the victim of a crime can quickly put a damper on the festivities. Likewise, being accused of a crime can also turn a person’s holiday season into a nightmare. Regardless of whether you are accused of or victimized by a crime, it’s always best to contact an attorney to make sure you get the representation you deserve.