In this interview, security consultant Robert Siciliano warns that everyday criminals—burglars, thieves, rapists—pose a constant threat that predates and outweighs post‑9/11 terrorism fears. He cites alarming holiday crime statistics (violent crime every 16 seconds, robbery every 48 seconds, etc.) and offers practical, low‑effort measures to reduce personal risk during the holiday season. Key recommendations include shredding credit‑card receipts to prevent fraud, dismantling and bagging gift boxes so thieves cannot see what was purchased, and keeping carry‑on luggage in the overhead bin where the traveler can monitor it, thereby deterring in‑flight theft. The conversation emphasizes personal responsibility for security in the home, on the road, and in the air.
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Since September 11th, Americans have been told to be on guard against terrorists, but other criminals are not taking the holiday season off. It's estimated there is a violent crime every 16 seconds. A robbery happens every 48 seconds. Assaults every 28 seconds. A car is stolen every 20 seconds, and a person is murdered every 21 minutes. Here to tell us what we can do not to become a crime victim, especially during the holidays, is Robert Siciliano. He is a security consultant and the author of The Safety Minute. Robert, good morning and happy holidays to you.
To you too, thank you.
Let's keep them happy and help folks out there keep them happy. If we could put that graphic back up that I was just referring to. Since September 11th, we have been so scared of terror and plane incidents, but really the things we should be scared of is stuff that we had to deal with even before September 11th. Isn't that right?
Well, being a security consultant, a security practitioner, for years and years I have been concerned for my personal security and also all those around me. And right now, unfortunately, security practitioners all over the country are waving their fingers saying, you know, I told you so. And unfortunately, Robert Siciliano, would you say that too, I told you so? Well, what I mean when I say that is that every day there are terrorists in our own backyard. There are terrorists in our neighborhood, neighborhoods, and we live amongst them on a daily basis. Terrorists are rapists, home invaders, burglars, muggers, thieves. They're everywhere and they're all around us. And so a person is responsible for their personal security on a daily basis, not just since September 11th.
All right, let's give some folks some really practical tips of, uh, things that are very basic. First, starting in the home, the gifts are open and there are two things hanging around: boxes that especially appliances came in, and also receipts. What are two things that you should do with each of those?
Well, first, you should shred all credit card receipts and anything— well, hold on to them for a month or so, you know, until you're going to take things back.
Why is it important to shred it, Robert? Why is it important to shred them?
Well, because with your credit card information on it, somebody can easily take that information and they can place mail order or online orders with your credit card number.
All right, let's talk trash. My house is still a mess. I just want all that stuff out of there. The big impulse is just take it and dump it by the trash can. Why is that a bad idea?
Well, because now this time of the year, burglars and home invaders and thieves do their shopping as they drive down your street and they see what you got for Christmas by the boxes that you have in front of your house. So what you do is you take those boxes, you cut them up, and you put them in garbage bags so that thieves and burglars and home invaders can't see what you got for Christmas.
Takes some extra time, but worth it. All right, a lot of people are going to be traveling back home since the holiday is kind of winding up for some of them. Give us a couple tips as you're going through the airport. Also, one place a lot of people don't think about— when you're on the airplane, you still have to be careful.
Right. Well, travel safety is a very detailed topic. For one thing, when you're on the plane itself, put your luggage in the compartment over your head, across from you. That way you can see what's going on with your belongings. Ah. If anybody, was to do anything with your belongings, like if you had your pocketbook or your briefcase up there, you could see that they were actually doing something in that compartment. Whereas if it was over your head, you wouldn't see what was going on, and they could easily take a credit card out and you wouldn't know what was going on for a day or two.
Some very good tips helping us, us stay safe. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday. Robert Siciliano, thanks for joining us on this day after Christmas. Really appreciate it.
