Tips to Prevent Package Theft This Holiday Season
This holiday shopping season, more packages will be delivered to homes than ever before, but that also means thieves will be out looking for opportunities to steal packages too. After years of experience working with law enforcement, here is my best advice to keep thieves away and prevent them from ruining your holiday.
Shop at reputable websites.
During the gift-giving season, you’ll receive emails from fraudsters promising discounts on luxury or popular gifts. Be wary of these offers. You’ll not only end up paying for items you’ll never receive, but also give away your credit card and personal information. I recommend purchasing gifts from reputable stores you’re familiar with, such as Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Wal-Mart.
Use your credit cards.
Purchases made with most major credit cards are protected from loss. So, if you can’t get a refund or replacement from the store, you may be able to get help from your credit card company.
Track your packages.
Many shipping companies today offer tracking alerts through emails or texts so you can follow your packages through each and every step of the delivery process. USPS, for example, offers a service called Informed Delivery where you’ll receive notifications telling you precisely when a package is dropped off at your home.
Keep your front yard and driveway clean and tidy.
When it comes to discouraging thieves, not all security measures have to be high tech. Simply keeping the exterior of your home tidy and clean can make a difference. An overstuffed mailbox, trash cans that are bursting at the seams, newspapers or flyers left in your driveway or on your doorstep, all suggest you’re either not home or haven’t been for days.
Report stolen packages to the police.
If you are a victim of package theft, then report it to the police. Don’t assume you’re the only one in the neighborhood and that it doesn’t matter. Thieves often work in networks and steal from multiple homes. If your package is stolen, first try contacting the shipper and follow up by reporting the stolen package to your local police department.
