The
holidays are upon us. Many people have already begun shopping for gifts for
their family and friends. Shopping online has exploded over the past several
years. During this season law enforcement agencies nationwide see a surge in
package delivery thefts. Oftentimes, thieves will follow the delivery trucks on
their routes waiting for a package to be left unattended. Within minutes of the
delivery truck leaving a package on the doorstep, thieves can walk up and make
off with your gifts. Here are a few tips to help you avoid being the victim of
these holiday “Scrooges”:
Have packages delivered with a signature required. This ensures that the package will not be left unattended on your doorstep.
If you know that you will not be at home when a package is due to arrive, and your workplace allows, consider having your purchases delivered to your place of work.
Sign up for delivery alerts through each delivery service’s website. If you have a trusted neighbor, once the package is delivered, have them retrieve it and hold onto it until you get home. Most services also allow you to change the delivery date, so you may be able to change it to a day or time that you will be home.
Most delivery services also have alternate delivery options. FEDEX can be delivered to a local FEDEX Office location and they will hold your package for in-person pickup. UPS has options to deliver to a UPS Store, UPS Access Point location, or hold your package at the UPS Customer Center. Amazon.com has Amazon Locker locations at convenient locations throughout the city.
If you must have something delivered when you are not home, leave instructions for the delivery service to place the package somewhere out of view from the street.
If you believe that someone has stolen a package, confirm that it was delivered, and then make a report with the Austin Police Department.
Finally, please watch out for your neighbors. Call 911 immediately if you see suspicious activity—get an accurate description of the activity and/or vehicle or person. Relay that information to the 911 call-taker as soon as possible.*
Have packages delivered with a signature required. This ensures that the package will not be left unattended on your doorstep.
If you know that you will not be at home when a package is due to arrive, and your workplace allows, consider having your purchases delivered to your place of work.
Sign up for delivery alerts through each delivery service’s website. If you have a trusted neighbor, once the package is delivered, have them retrieve it and hold onto it until you get home. Most services also allow you to change the delivery date, so you may be able to change it to a day or time that you will be home.
Most delivery services also have alternate delivery options. FEDEX can be delivered to a local FEDEX Office location and they will hold your package for in-person pickup. UPS has options to deliver to a UPS Store, UPS Access Point location, or hold your package at the UPS Customer Center. Amazon.com has Amazon Locker locations at convenient locations throughout the city.
If you must have something delivered when you are not home, leave instructions for the delivery service to place the package somewhere out of view from the street.
If you believe that someone has stolen a package, confirm that it was delivered, and then make a report with the Austin Police Department.
Finally, please watch out for your neighbors. Call 911 immediately if you see suspicious activity—get an accurate description of the activity and/or vehicle or person. Relay that information to the 911 call-taker as soon as possible.*
*Article courtesy of the Austin Police Department
No comments:
Post a Comment