The Grinch was working overtime last holiday season – research group SafeWise reports that more than 120 million packages will be stolen in the US in 2023.
Lawmakers are taking steps to reduce crime by increasing penalties, according to NPR. Florida, for example, is imposing tougher penalties for package theft, and a bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would apply the same federal mail theft penalties to the theft of shipments from Amazon and other private companies.
As government and law enforcement officials figure out how to make package thieves pay for their crimes, here are some tips to prevent your front porch from becoming a target.
Incognito ship
“Brands on the box make targets more enticing because it gives clues as to what might be inside,” Ben Stickle, a professor of criminal justice administration at Tennessee State University, told NPR. Amazon has an option to ship items in a simple box.Always click on it if that option is available.
Take motion lights and a camera
Having a well-lit porch monitored by a security camera is a good deterrent. They're not foolproof (we've all seen the Ring footage of brazen thieves grabbing goods on camera), but they help law enforcement identify and hopefully catch criminals.
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Give Amazon directions
Amazon allows (and encourages) customers to leave instructions for drivers on where to drop off packages, so take advantage and pick a spot that's out of the way. Prime subscribers in some areas may have packages located inside their garages.
Deliver to a trusted alternative location
If you likely won't be home when packages are delivered, Stickle recommends enlisting a neighbor or family member who's usually home to help. Send packages and pick them up later. Alternatively, send packages to your workplace or a locker. Requiring a signature will ensure that no packet is left unprotected.
Report but do not engage
If you spot a pirate in the act of skimming your belongings, it's advisable to shout at them to scare them off – but don't open the door or get physically involved with them. Call the police immediately, Stickle advises, and write down every descriptive detail about the person and their vehicle. No package is worth the risk of physical harm.
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