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Five Crimes That Peak During the Holidays

by | Nov 23, 2020 | Criminal Charges, Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense Lawyer |

While the holidays should be the most merry time of year, it’s unfortunately also the time of year where crime is at its highest. During the last couple months of the year, as the holidays are peppered through the weeks, crime rates tend to skyrocket. The spike in crime rates could be caused by a mixture of holiday stress coming from extra financial expectations or added time with family that may increase intense emotions.

Here are five types of crimes that tend to peak during the holiday season:

Shoplifting

The pressure of gift-giving season can be a lot, especially for anyone who is going through financial hardship. During the holidays, the desire to have just the right gifts for children, adult family members, and friends can cause an added pressure that may lead to shoplifting. According to the Jack L. Hayes International Annual Retail Theft Survey, over 1.2 million shoplifters and dishonest employees were apprehended during the holiday season in 2015.

Identity Theft

So much shopping and so many credit card swipes lead to more cases of identity theft. This can happen both with online shopping and physical card swiping in stores, restaurants, and gas stations. Your personal information such as your credit card number and social security number can be used by strangers who pose as you and can commit fraud, deplete bank accounts, and more via skimming or phishing.

Drunk Driving

Holidays mean constant celebration whether via work outings or family parties. While alcohol isn’t needed to have a good time, the drinks are certainly flowing at a higher volume during this time. Ride-sharing apps have been made very easy and popular in the past few years, but this doesn’t always stop people from making the terrible choice of driving under the influence. It only takes a few drinks to impair one’s ability to drive safely.

Internet Scams

More and more people are turning to sites like Amazon to do their holiday shopping, but the desire to find the best deal can also turn into a road that leads to being caught up in an Internet scam. Deals that seem to good to be true or bogus contests that offer absurd prizes for “clicking here” are more often than not ruses to take advantage of excited shoppers.

Domestic Violence

Spending time with family isn’t always the happiest for everyone. Holidays tend to bring families together, but unfortunately can also be filled with tension and trouble. Holidays are meant to be a time of joy, but when anxiety, financial stress, and tension come into play – things can turn badly very quickly. Crimes of passion, especially those involving domestic abuse tend to happen more frequently during this time of year.

If you or a loved one find yourself in a troublesome situation with the law this holiday season, reaching out to an experienced criminal defense attorney can make all the difference. Having someone who understands the legal system on your side can make the process a much smoother one. Consider turning to Russell Spatz for help, as he puts his clients and their needs first. Give him a call today at 305-442-0200.

References:

“Annual Retail Theft Survey.” Jack L. Hayes International, Inc., http://hayesinternational.com/news/annual-retail-theft-survey/.

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