(BBB) – The Better Business Bureau has suggestions for online shoppers to prevent “porch pirates.’
The holiday season is in full swing and online shoppers need to be on alert for people stealing packages from unsuspecting homeowners.
Although certain crimes occur more often around the holidays, the USPS and Consumer Reports have a few ways you can keep your packages safe from thieves.
Don’t leave delivered packages unattended. You wouldn’t leave $500 sitting outside your house overnight so don’t leave your packages unattended for long periods of time. Pay attention to online tracking; if the company says it was delivered but it’s not at your house report it.
For extra security, use motion detecting lights and camera systems to fend off would-be thieves.
Leaving town? Have your mail held at the post office. Once you return you can pick everything up or request it be delivered to your home.
Customize the delivery. If you know the package is going to be larger than the mailbox, authorize the carrier to leave it in a specified out-of-sight location. You can also request pick-up at their facility.
Secure the shipment. Signature confirmations ensure that the package ends up in the right hards. Register your most valuable packages so special care and documentation is used every step of the way.
Ship your packages to where you are, not where you aren’t. Spend all day at work? Talk to your boss about having packages delivered to your workplace instead of your home address.
Keep an eye out for suspicious activity in your neighborhood. Some thieves follow delivery trucks waiting for the opportune time to steal packages. If you notice something out of place in your neighborhood, report it to the proper authorities with specific details.
You can also plan with neighbors to move any packages inside their home for safekeeping until you arrive home at night.
