Tens of millions of Americans will be shopping online this holiday season.
A big concern is having their packages stolen after the carrier delivers them. It’s known as “Porch Piracy.”
Local law enforcement says they’ve seen an increase of package theft during the holiday season.
An estimated 23 million Americans have experienced package theft.
Local law enforcement tells News 10 thieves will go right behind a carrier vehicle and steal packages from doorsteps.
FedEx says according to a recent industry study, 75% of Americans are concerned about porch piracy today.
Randy Scarborough, Vice President of Retail Marketing at Fedex, says, “Porch Piracy doesn’t have to ruin anyone’s holiday. At Fedex, we’re providing a range of options to give customers control when and where their packages are delivered. That includes our FedEx delivery app and more than 12,000 retail locations.”
The FedEx mobile app gives package recipients the ability to electronically sign for a package, request a vacation hold, or choose a hold at FedEx location.
Local law enforcement says to contact them immediately if you notice a package has been stolen. The quicker they can take over the investigation, the sooner they can possibly solve the case.
Corporal Bridgette Dugas, Public Information Officer for Lafayette Police Department, adds, “We’ll take a report there and of course we’ll try to obtain any surveillance from whether your residence or a residence nearby or somewhere where we can see what actually occurred and once that takes place we’ll submit everything. We can try to identify the individuals that were seen stealing the packages.”
Lafayette Police officers say they see an increase of package theft during the holiday season.
“We suggest that you can insure the package that would be perfect for you. It would protect yourself and your items and also if you can try to make sure that the delivery is done at a certain time of the day,” explains Corporal Dugas.
Here are some suggestions from FedEx on ways you can help protect your packages:
Consider an alternate destination by sending the package to your workplace or to a family member, friend, or neighbor who is home.
Send it to your nearest fedex office location.
Request a signature. If you’re shipping something of high value–you can require a signature for packages to be released.
Another suggestion is asking for a doorbell ring or even a knock. You can leave instructions for drivers to always ring your doorbell or knock on your door when a package is being left.
Lafayette Police encourage you to control the time of day of delivery of your package when you’re going to be home or you know someone will be.
