Black Friday starts the rush of holiday shopping, where historically stores have increased in business as people get ready for Christmas.

But law officers say shopping isn't the only thing that increases during the holidays as financial crimes like thefts and break-ins peak during the season.

"The holiday season is right around the corner and shoppers are crowding malls and discount stores to buy the latest gadgets and find the best deals," said Scotland County Sheriff Shep Jones.

But some shoppers may be neglecting their safety, Jones warns

"This time of year attracts more shopping-related criminal activity because of the larger crowds and the extended store hours," Jones said. "These factors and the usual distraction of shopping, creates a more favorable environment for petty thieves and other offenders."

"During this time of year, busy holiday shoppers become careless and vulnerable to other crimes as well. Credit card fraud and gift card fraud are on the rise. However, taking a few preventive measures can help."

Jones had the following tips for holiday shopping:

Shop safely

• A single shopper is the best target for theft. Always shop with a friend or relative.

• When you go shopping, tell others where you are going and what time to expect you to return. Also, make sure they know what you are wearing, as well as the type of vehicle you are driving.

• Shop during daylight hours. If you shop at night, park your vehicle in a well-lit area.

• Dress casually and comfortably and avoid wearing expensive jewelry. If carrying cash, keep it in your front pocket rather than in a purse or wallet. This makes it much more difficult for a pick-pocket to remove. Also store car keys in a pants or jacket pocket. If your purse is stolen, you will still be able to drive home.

• Pay careful attention to your surroundings and avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.

• When returning to your vehicle, check around it and in the back seat. Be aware of strangers approaching you for any reason. Have you car keys in your hand to avoid spending unnecessary time unprotected from the security of your vehicle.

• If you feel uneasy returning to your vehicle alone, find a security guard and ask them to walk you to your car.

Credit Card Fraud:

• Keep a close watch on your credit card every time you use it, and make sure you get it back as quickly as possible.

• Never write your PIN number on your credit card.

• Never leave your credit cards or receipts lying around.

• Shield your credit card number so that others around you can’t copy it or capture it on a mobile telephone or other camera.

• Only carry credit cards that you absolutely need.

• Shred anything with your credit card number written on it.

• If you’re planning to purchase online, make sure the web page where you enter your credit card information is secure through SSL (Secure Socket Layer). You can tell if the web page is secure by looking for the gold lock or key icon at the bottom corner of your browser window.

• If you’re not comfortable submitting your information through the internet, call the seller and give them your information over the telephone. Never send your credit card information via email.

• Check the company out. Only do business with companies that provide a physical address and telephone number.

• Keep good records. Always print out a copy of any online products or services you purchase.

Gift Card Fraud:

• Never buy gift cards from online auction sites. This is a large source of gift card fraud. Many of the gift cards are stolen, counterfeit or used.

• Only buy gift cards directly from the store issuing the gift card or from a secure retailer’s website.

• Don’t buy gift cards off of publicly displayed racks in retail stores. Only purchase gift cards at the sales terminal from the cashier.

• Always carefully examine both the front and back of a gift card before you buy it. If you see a PIN number, ask for a different card. If the card looks like it has been tampered with in any way, put it back.

• Always ask the store cashier to scan the gift card in front of you. This will guarantee that your card is valid when you buy it and that it reflects the balance you just charged it with.

• Always keep your receipt as a proof of purchase as long as there is money stored on the gift card.

• If possible, register your gift card at the store’s website

• Never give your Social Security number, date of birth or any other unneeded private information when purchasing a gift card. No reputable company will ask for this information.

"Unfortunately, when shopping, people have a tendency to let their guard down," Jones said. "However, paying attention and taking precautions can help eliminate their chances of being victimized."

N.C. Attorney General Cooper urges North Carolina holiday shoppers to protect themselves from problems such as gifts that can’t be returned, unsafe toys, and scams to steal your identity.

"We can avoid holiday stress by spending within our means and learning the rules about refunds, returns and gift cards," Cooper said. "Parents can also take steps to choose safe toys, games and other gifts for their kids."

Cooper had the following suggestions for holiday shoppers to protect themselves:

• Check safety recalls. Thousands of products are recalled every year due to safety problems. You can check out recalls for toys, electronics and other household items by visiting the Consumer Product Safety Commission website, where you can also sign up to get emails about future recalls.

• Remember online safety, too. If Santa brings your family a new laptop, phone, or other device that gets Internet access, make sure you enable filtering software or parental monitoring. Before your kids use their new gadgets to go online, remind them not to post or share personal information or photos that could fall into the wrong hands. For a free guide on keeping children safe on the Internet, visit www.ncdoj.gov.

• Buy age-appropriate computer and video games. Computer and video games are popular holiday gifts, but not all games are created for kids. To choose games that are age appropriate, check the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings before you buy.

• Protect your identity. You keep your wallet in a safe place when you go shopping. It’s just as important to guard your personal information. Protect your Social Security, driver’s license and bank account numbers when you shop online. Don’t respond to unsolicited emails that ask for your personal financial information, and don’t share this information with telemarketers, either.

• Learn about refund and return policies. Stores aren’t required by law to accept returned merchandise, so ask about refunds and return policies before you buy. Many retailers offer store credit instead of a cash refund, and some charge a "restocking fee" for returns. Hang on to receipts, and remember to print receipts for online purchase and keep invoices that arrive with mail order gifts. If your purchase came by mail, you may have to pay postage to return it.

• Buy from stores you know. Buying from well-established retailers improves the odds that you’ll be able to return or exchange a purchase if needed. To check out a company’s track record, call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or contact your local Better Business Bureau.

• Consider paying by credit card to improve your chances of getting a refund if the retailer goes out of business. If you order a gift that never arrives, you may be able to dispute the charge. Also, if your credit card is lost or stolen, federal law limits your liability to $50.

• Ask when your order will arrive. Internet and catalog shoppers alike are protected by the Federal Mail Order Rule. By law, a company is required to ship your order within the time stated in its catalog or on its website. If they don’t give you a delivery date, they have 30 days to ship your purchase once they’ve received your order. If the seller can’t ship the item on time, they must let you know and give you a chance to cancel for a full refund.

• Giving gift cards or certificates? If you buy a gift certificate with a credit card and the store or restaurant closes before the certificate can be used, you may be able to contest the charge through your credit card company. Under North Carolina law, retailers can’t charge a maintenance fee on their gift cards within the first year and must clearly disclose any fees they’ll deduct from the value of the gift card after that.

• Shop within your means. Many families plan to spend less on holiday gifts this year. No matter where you shop, buy only what you can afford to avoid starting the New Year in debt.