Concerts, festivals, sporting events, and community gatherings are a great way to connect and have fun. To maximize the good times, think through a plan for how you’ll carry your essentials in the crowd, like cash, credit cards, smartphone and ID.
Follow these tips to help keep your personal items secure in a crowd
Being mindful of your surroundings helps you react quickly if needed.
- Keep your valuables secure: Use a crossbody bag or front pockets. You also want to avoid keeping phones or wallets in easy-to-reach places.
- Stay in well-lit areas: Especially when arriving, leaving, or moving through unfamiliar spaces, stick to locations with plenty of light
- Watch for distractions: Pickpocketing and scams often rely on confusion or crowded conditions.
- Trust your instincts: If something feels off, move to a safer area or alert event security. In an emergency, call 911.
- Limit what you share publicly: Be mindful of real-time social media posts that reveal your exact location.
Here’s how to help safeguard your personal information and devices
Large events can also create opportunities for digital risks.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive activity: Wait until you’re on a secure network to access banking or personal accounts.
- Be cautious with QR codes: Only scan codes from trusted sources (official signage, event apps).
- Lock your phone: Use a passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition.
- Turn off Bluetooth when not in use: This reduces exposure to unwanted connections.
Watch out for these common scams
Fraudsters can be attracted to big, crowded events and concoct scams that take advantage of distracted fans.
- Fake tickets or vendors: Purchase tickets and merchandise only from official or trusted sources.
- Impersonators: Be cautious of anyone claiming to be staff who cannot show proper identification.
- Payment tricks: Avoid letting others handle your payment card or phone, especially beyond your line of sight.
Review your accounts once you’re home safe and sound
For peace of mind, take a quick look at your accounts and devices to make sure all is well.
- Review your accounts: Look for any unfamiliar transactions on your bank accounts and credit cards.
- Secure your devices: Remove connections to unknown networks and keep operating systems and apps up to date.
- Report suspicious activity: Contact your bank immediately if something doesn’t look right.
- Find additional tips for personal preparedness and public safety from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at Ready.gov.
At Huntington, your safety and peace of mind matter. If the energy around you changes or something seems suspicious, trust your gut and take action. If you ever suspect fraud or unusual activity on your Huntington account, contact us right away.
