Your phone pings one afternoon alerting you that the box of Christmas gifts for your family that you’ve been expecting from Amazon has been delivered to your doorstep. You arrive home and walk to your porch, but instead of finding your package, there’s nothing but fallen leaves and your doormat.
Unfortunately, criminals are well aware that Americans are doing an ever-increasing amount of their holiday shopping online, so they’re cruising neighborhoods on the lookout for unattended boxes. Just this week in Tuscaloosa County, an individual was identified possibly stealing packages from a homeowner’s doorstep. Luckily, there are a few precautions you can take to avoid being a victim of this type of crime.
- Many online sellers will allow you to choose “Signature Required” shipping. Bear in mind, though, somebody will need to be home to sign for it or you’ll end up having to pick up your package at the Post Office or await another delivery attempt by the carrier.
- Have packages shipped to your workplace (with your employer’s permission) where someone will be able to sign for and get them directly into your hands.
- Have your packages shipped to a friend, family member, or neighbor (with their OK, of course) who will be home during the day.
- If you’re expecting a package on a given day, ask a trusted neighbor to pick it up from your porch and hold it for you until you get home.
Hopefully, by taking these simple precautions, your holiday gifts will go to your family and friends instead of under some criminal’s Christmas tree.
see also: Thieves Target Unattended Packages—Tuscaloosa News, November 29, 2016