It’s estimated that 56 percent of shoppers will purchase items online this holiday season. That means those purchases will be shipped in packages, delivered to unmonitored porches. Those packages are big targets for thieves.
Here are some tips to keep your packages safe:
- Ship your packages to a secure place. Have your packages shipped to the nearest retail store, your work, or one of many nearby self-service lockers or holding locations. You will know your package is safe until you are able to pick it up.
- Add special delivery instructions, such as leaving the package with a neighbor who will be home or leaving the package out of view on a back porch. Keeping a package out of sight will minimize its visibility to thieves.
- Use shipping apps that will send notifications when packages will be delivered. These apps allow customers to put deliveries on hold, reschedule deliveries, or reroute deliveries even after the package is in transit.
- Be a good neighbor. Watch for things that are out of the ordinary. Report suspicious people or vehicles to law enforcement immediately.
Buying online is an easy way to shop for gifts. It can also be a safe way to shop. Just take a few easy steps to avoid being a victim of package theft.