Check your video doorbell or security camera footage to see if anyone has stolen your package. Unfortunately, package theft is prevalent during the holidays. Video doorbells. The Round Rock (Texas) Police Department is hosting "Operation Front Porch” for the third year through Dec. 18. Shop Package Protectors. Post a warning sign. They may be able to replace the item or provide a refund. Some 18 percent of Americans had a package stolen between March and June, during the first four months of the pandemic, with an average loss of $106, according to a survey for ValuePenguin.com, a financial website owned by LendingTree. Package Theft Protection Done Right With the holidays fast approaching, and Christmas shopping online already underway for many, this is a security issue that everyone needs to keep in mind. Here are some of your options: Even if the postal service did its job, porch pirates could easily snatch your precious packages away. Before I get into those, I want to caution you against using force if you encounter the perpetrator. TIPS TO PREVENT PACKAGE THEFT December 9, 2020 In an effort to protect yourself from having your packages stolen during the busy holiday season, consider the following tips: Have your packages delivered elsewhere, such as your place of employment, an Amazon delivery site, P.O. receive communications related to AARP volunteering. Here are some quick ideas for how to protect your parcels—and your peace of mind. According to CNBC, “about 1.7 million packages are stolen or lost every day in the U.S.” We have some tips as well as tools you can use to help prevent package theft. AARP’s Fraud Watch Network can help you spot and avoid scams. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services and the information you need to benefit every area of your life. To understand the evolving nature of package theft in the U.S., and as a followup to our extensive 2017 Package Theft Report and the 2018 Package Theft Occurrence Analysis, we surveyed 1,052 online shoppers about their eCommerce purchasing habits, experiences with package theft and the actions they take to deter porch pirates. 10. Prevention methods include concealing packages (e.g., removing branding on boxes, placing packages out of view), removing the target (e.g., delivery to a POD, delivery in late afternoons), increasing the effort (e.g., lockable containers), and increasing the risk (e.g., … Here are a few ways to keep your packages safe before you can get home and secure them inside. TheBlankBox is a entertaining way to deter package theft or a prank device that gets A LOT of attention. En español | Televisions. Golf clubs. The crooks — also called “box bandits” — scoop up packages delivered to front doors before the recipients retrieve them. You can also manage your communication preferences by updating your account at anytime. 3. 8. 2. Posting a sign in a visible location that states that your property is under 24 … But more people said they planned to have items delivered: 73 percent, compared to 62 percent in 2019. Fed Ex accepts vacation holds for up to 14 days; it also will store your delivery for free for up to five days at many locations. Looking for package theft prevention solutions so you won’t become a package theft victim? related to AARP volunteering. . Together, we can stop package theft. Package Theft Prevention Package theft is a crime that occurs throughout the year as online shopping becomes more and more common. Check with the retailer to find out what their policies are on lost or stolen packages. A bottle of gin. Doreen Frances Oswald, 64, of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, has been charged with burglary and theft, the Walton County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office says. The video also showed that the package, which contained $136 in lamps, had been delivered just three minutes earlier. First, make sure your package has been marked as “Delivered.” If you opted into package alerts, check your email or texts to see if you’ve received a notification. Get an app. If you see a delivery driver from the doorbell camera feed, you can unlock the smart lock on your front door via your smart home app, allowing your delivery driver to place your packages directly inside your home. Ship your package to a location where someone you know will be available to receive it, which may include your work address or a relative, neighbor, or friend’s home. Compare Package Theft Prevention Products We’re committed to putting a stop to package theft. Request that your package is sent with the “signature required” feature so it can't be delivered without one. “The sheer volume of shipments expected this season may create increased opportunities for so-called ‘porch pirates.’ “. In July, a thief outside El Paso, Texas, was arrested after being caught on a home security camera. READING -- With the holiday season approaching, Chief David Clark and the Reading Police Department would like to provide tips for how to prevent theft for residents expecting package deliveries in the coming weeks. And in Tampa, Florida, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has debuted "Operation Pinch-A-Grinch,” which runs through Dec. 21. Reading Police Share Tips to Prevent Package Theft this Holiday Season. Take photos or video of all items of value in your home and list each item's make, model, serial number and other information. Package Theft Prevention In order to prevent future package thefts, respondents who have had a package stolen said they took multiple measures in the form of home security. If you're not going to be home, set up a specific delivery time when you will be. | If that is not possible, requesting a signature upon delivery or sending it to your workplace are also options. They may be able to assist further. UPS, for examples, has UPS My Choice to help track and reroute package deliveries. “Porch pirates” are common at all times of the year and more so since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic. A lot of really bad parents will send their children to retrieve packages from front porches of unsuspecting victims. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life. You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The following outlines our privacy policy. Don't leave outgoing mail unattended in your mailbox for pick up. How Common is Package Theft? If you are leaving town, ask for your shipments to be held. More than 54 percent reported multiple deliveries stolen in the previous 12 months. “They give you control, convenience, and the ability to choose when and where your packages are delivered," he explains. Additional Package Theft Prevention Tips. 2. Require a Signature. The boy's father, 26, told authorities he was high on crystal meth when he told the boy to steal the package. FedEx has more than 14,000 sites in the U.S. including FedEx Offices, FedEx Ship Centers and retailers including Walgreens, Albertsons, Kroger and Dollar General. Based on the results of our study identified above, and other factors discussed in the full report, we make the following proposals for reducing unattended package theft at residences. December 11, 2019 . O’Connor points to the UPS My Choice ® and UPS Access Point ® programs. Each year, Americans trust the U.S. Advertising helps our insights remain free. Use a tracking feature to check online when a package is scheduled to arrive. Report a Crime Mail & Package Theft. This is where innovative proptech solutions like Parcel Pending’s smart package lockers come into play. If you’re able to review the footage for 24 hours or more, look for moments of activity. Some People Avoid Online Shopping Due to Fear of Package Theft: Shorr Packaging’s survey also … Amid anxiety over COVID-19, holiday spending is expected to drop 7 percent this holiday season, falling to $1,387 per household, from last year, a recent survey by Deloitte found. At Safety.com your privacy is very important to us. 5. Join AARP today. Here are tips from law enforcement, the U.S. Package theft prevention Luckily, there are ways of keeping packages safe from theft. If you have to sign for your items, the packages cannot be left on the doorstep. They’re on the hunt for easy targets. There are a number of delivery options that are available to our residents that can reduce the number of packages stolen. TAKEAWAY—Vehicles were commonly used to facilitate the thefts, and offenders tended to run or walk quickly after taking the package. 4. 3 Dec Let's Stop the Grinch from Stealing Packages this Holiday Season! Compress large boxes and place them in black garbage bags for pick-up. for up to 14 days; it also will store your delivery for free for up to five days at many locations. Prevention Proposals. Postal Inspectors investigate these crimes and arrest thousands of mail and package thieves each year. In our recent survey, we also found that Gen-Xers are planning to spend the most out of all generations this upcoming holiday season. Sadly, 1 in 4 Americans aren’t proactively planning to protect themselves from burglary this holiday season, which raises concern. If you purchased your item with a credit card, check and see if you have any package protection benefits. Comments: 0. Let your local police department know that you think your package has been stolen, as soon as possible, l. By sharing this information, you never know how they or your neighbors might be able to help you locate the package. Free calculators to help manage your money, Rate bonus on high-yield online savings account, Real-life solutions to help close the retirement savings gap. REQUIRE PACKAGE SIGNATURE. Sure, this may be a hassle, but it’s also a great way to deter package theft. Burglary Deterrents: What Works and What Doesn’t? It could be the side of your house. 1. Retrieve a package as soon as it arrives. Therefore, one of the most effective ways to prevent package theft is not to allow packages to sit outside for too long. Thieves even have been known to “tailgate” behind delivery trucks. In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly The table shows the different types of package theft products, devices and prevention methods that are currently available on the market. by Katherine Skiba, AARP, November 10, 2020 About 43 percent of respondents had had a package theft at some point. While a home security system isn’t the only option that can help homeowners and renters protect their valuables, it is imperative to have a plan in place. Instead, you need to take package theft prevention into your own hands. Package Theft Prevention. Some shipping companies will allow you to choose a preferred time and date as well as to change locations when the package is in route. This results in long conversations with customer service, delays to … Sign up for free Watchdog Alerts, review our scam-tracking map, or call our toll-free fraud helpline at 877-908-3360 if you or a loved one suspect you’ve been a victim. As the holiday season approaches and the pandemic rages on, the number of Americans who will utilize online shopping will continue to increase. There are a few precautions you can take to help deter or prevent package theft from ruining your holiday season. Here are tips from law enforcement, the U.S. The 10 Best Home Security Systems of 2020, Best Smart Devices For Saving Money & Energy. Please note that some retailers may handle lost or stolen packages on a case-by-case basis. 6. Choose an alternative pickup location. www.aarp.org/volunteer. You can start taking action today with these tools and tips. This keeps packages … And in Tampa, Florida, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has debuted, scoop up packages delivered to front doors, Creator of phony sweepstakes mail shares how he convinced people they won money, 4 free or inexpensive tools to prevent fraud, Cybercrooks pose as Amazon in phishing email scheme, High Yield Savings from Marcus by Goldman Sachs. Package theft has become an increasingly common crime not just in Montebello, but throughout California. Postal Service ® with billions of letters and packages, and the vast majority of those arrive safely at their intended destinations. Or avoid delivery by using ship-to-store or curbside pickup. The FedEx mobile app lets package recipients electronically sign for a package, request a vacation hold or choose a hold at one of its locations. Postal Service and delivery firms: 1. … Instruct delivery firms where to leave your package so it isn't visible from the street. This holiday season shoppers have lost nearly a If it. Though not common, leading up to the holidays some law enforcement agencies let local residents have packages weighing less than 50 pounds shipped to their stations for pickup later. Gen-Xers are planning to spend about $270.87 on packages. Specify instructions for the delivery. These measures can help: If you suspect your package has been stolen, here are some next steps you can take: The Top 5 Products to Help Prevent Package... Emily is an experienced writer passionate about covering topics at the intersection of tech, health, safety and humanity. As they say, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Members of Gen-Z, Millennials, and Gen X have taken the hardest hit as far as frequency, but older Americans and seniors have suffered the biggest losses. 33 percent of respondents had done nothing in the previous year to prevent package thefts. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. By filing a police report, you can help others in your community combat package theft. About Us . Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Deposit mail in a mail slot in the post office, at a Postal Service mailbox, or hand it to your letter carrier. Here’s how to prevent package theft: Have packages delivered to your work. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try TheBlankBox originated from watching people run away with our packages while we were at work and we wanted a way to prank a porch pirate! Some security cameras let you use an app to watch over your home from your smartphone. One respondent reported losing $4,800 worth of items from a single package. Some carriers deny responsibility once a package has been delivered. A stolen package will spoil your day. Wakefield Police Share Tips to Prevent Package Theft this Holiday Season. Or a hiding place. Accordingly, we have developed this policy in order for you to understand how we collect, use, communicate and disclose and make use of personal information. These devices and tools that can help keep your deliveries safe. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. Combine a doorbell camera with a smart lock for extra protection. Posted on November 14, 2014 by BPD Tech February 22, 2018. The Vancouver Police Department wants to remind you to consider package theft prevention strategies when ordering gifts or item online. Package Theft Prevention. … The, (USPS) allows you to file a claim, submit a Help Request Form, a Mail Search Request, and more. Add new items to your home inventory. Traditional prevention methods such as videos, fences, and obvious signs someone is home, do not appear to deter package theft. It can be hard to tell when your packages will show … 1052 Hits. After surveying over 1,000 Americans, ValuePenguin found that “nearly 1 in 5 consumers have been victims of porch piracy amid the coronavirus crisis.” We can infer that since the start of the pandemic, more people have been ordering their products online. Being home at the time of delivery is helpful to prevent theft. Such projections have Federal Express girding for a “surge in volume during the upcoming holidays, on top of peak levels of demand we've already experienced during COVID-19,” says Sederia Gray, a FedEx spokeswoman. We also found that 68% of Gen-Xers don’t have a home security system, which could potentially put them at risk. USPS’ free, "hold mail" requests must be for at least three days and for a maximum of 30 days. Use a tracking feature to check online when a package is scheduled to arrive. Remember that many thieves are opportunists. Some signal your phone, tablet or personal computer if your doorbell is rung. Or have the package sent to a trusted person who will be home. If someone did steal your package, notify the local police. for the third year through Dec. 18. again. Save 25% when you join AARP and enroll in Automatic Renewal for first year. It's much easier to prevent your package from being stolen than to try to get it back, and it's far less stressful as well. Such piracy shows up on police blotters across the country from Brooklyn to the Bay Area. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. Proactively Preventing Holiday Package Theft. They may even help you catch the culprit in the event of a grab-and-run. Oswald was charged after the sheriff’s office posted the video on Facebook and Twitter. Consider a security camera. WAKEFIELD —With the holiday season approaching, Chief Steven A. Skory and the Wakefield Police Department would like to provide tips for how to prevent theft for residents expecting package … TheBlankBox is an effective way to deter someone from stealing from you, plus, it makes for some entertaining video! Many retailers allow you to create specific delivery instructions … Amazon and BoxLock also offer solutions for making sure your packages are delivered safely. FedEx has a. service that allows you to track and redirect packages if needed. In this period, the average loss was about $110, and Americans age 75 and older suffered the largest average loss, $210. Mail or Package Theft Prevention. Instead, a note will be placed there letting you know the date they will try to make another delivery (or where you might be able to pick up the item instead). Postal Service and delivery firms: 1. You will be asked to register or log in. The Billerica Police Department would like to remind citizens to take extra care this time of year when having mail and packages delivered to their residence. Schedule deliveries with the shipping company. To learn more about package theft prevention during these uncertain times, keep reading. What is TheBlankBox? If you decide to purchase a home security system or camera, you’ll want to be sure that you have access to mobile alerts. PACKAGE THEFT PREVENTION TIPS & IDEAS . Secure your delivery location. Safety.com’s recent survey revealed that the average American will have $224 in merchandise sitting on their porch in plain sight around the holidays. With more online purchases, thieves know their opportunities are greater. Package thefts are crimes of opportunity. 9. You must be logged in to leave a comment. Schedule deliveries for times you will be home. Engrave new items to help identify them in the event they are stolen. In this case, there are still other options you can pursue, like filing a claim or submitting a mail search request. And television news shows, social-media outlets and online neighborhood groups increasingly publish footage to catch these modern-day buccaneers. The footage showed the man in a car with his 6-year-old son; the boy left the vehicle and snatched a UPS package from a victim's doorstep, authorities said. Baby clothes. to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Parcel Pending offers a wide range of solutions that ensure the simple and secure delivery and retrieval of packages and online orders. General mail theft tips, from the United States Postal Inspection Service: Don't send cash in the mail. Sticky-fingered porch pirates have recently pilfered all of these, and much more. Video doorbells are lower profile than security cameras, so they aren’t as effective … Package theft may seem like a sporadic and isolated crime, but the truth is that close to 40% of Americans claim or suspect that they have been a victim of front porch theft. Box, or FedEx/UPS location. Here are several of the best ways to help you avoid porch pirates and protect your packages. Your credit card company may be able to replace or reimburse you for your lost package. UPS lets you track your shipment on its app. 7. We know personally how devastating it can be to have a package stolen. Or avoid delivery by using ship-to-store or curbside pickup. "Even as many customers shop and work from home, unattended deliveries create opportunities for thieves to steal packages before the resident collects them,” she warns. If not and your package has tracking, check your tracking updates online. MAIL. AARP members receive exclusive member benefits & affect social change. She allegedly stole two packages in front of a home in Point Washington, Florida, about 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 5. Some swoop in on foot or bikes; others skulk in by car. you can wait longer or contact the shipping company. But there are always thieves who will target the mail. If you are wondering how common package theft is during the holiday season, the answer is very common. Safety.com is an independent review site. Retrieve a package as soon as it arrives. The most popular is to install a doorbell camera such as Ring, Google Nest or Vivint. In the meantime, please feel free When a package is stolen, there’s often nothing you can do except order a replacement. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Your mailbox for pick up how devastating it can be to have a package theft prevention these! In our recent survey, we also found that 68 % of Gen-Xers don ’ t terms conditions. Or log in peace of mind do n't send cash in the event they are stolen,! 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