The Attorney General’s office says with an increase in online shopping during the holidays, consumers face heightened risks of “porch pirates” targeting deliveries.
A G Nessel says quote, “Whether it's a package or a piece of mail, unattended deliveries are easy targets for porch pirates,” she adds, “By planning ahead and taking security measures, you can make sure your well-deserved gifts and packages reach you safely while keeping thieves from stealing your holiday cheer.” End quote.
To safeguard against package theft, Nessel advises consumers to:
Use Secure Delivery Options: Ship packages to a secure location, such as Amazon lockers, FedEx offices, or your workplace if permitted.
Even when you're not home, make it look like someone is present by leaving lights or music on.
And Invest in Technology: Install a porch camera or motion detector that can alert you to activity and allow you to monitor deliveries in real time.
Attorney General Nessel’s alert also notes that mail and package theft is a leading cause of identity theft crimes.
If you believe a package has been stolen from your residence, first confirm it was delivered, if security cameras confirm it, contact your local police department.
