Protect yourself from Package Theft
Online shopping has grown over the past few years and this holiday season will be no exception . With the convenience of home delivery , more and more consumers are shopping online for everything . While it is easy to get caught up in the fun of it all , it is important to remember that with increased purchasing comes heightened risk of theft . Thieves will be on the prowl throughout the holiday . Package thefts from door stoops and front porches during the day usually increase between the months of October and January .
So , before you shop online , here are some tips to protect your deliveries from package thieves .
• Pick-up your packages promptly – Encourage family members to pick up packages as soon as possible after they are delivered . If necessary , ask a trusted neighbor to do it for you .
• Ship to Another Location – If possible , have your packages shipped to another location instead of your home . If it ’ s allowed , ship packages to your office , or have them shipped to a neighbor who ’ s home during the day . Many delivery companies also offer to hold your packages at their respective stores , such as FedEx Office or The UPS Store . Amazon has a similar feature called Amazon Locker , which will store all your Amazon shipments .
• Require a Signature – While most signature requirements are designated by the sender , many delivery companies will allow you to require signatures for all your deliveries .
• Track your Package – Ask for a tracking number so you know when your package is delivered . Track your packages and try to be home at the time of delivery . If you receive your shipment on time , check with the company of origin and confirm the delivery . If the item was delivered and you did not receive it , report the theft or loss to the original company .
How to avoid holiday scams ….. there ’ s also a dark side to the season .
The holidays are a time for getting together with family and friends , but there ’ s also a dark side to the season . Scammers and hackers are also ready to scam the unsuspecting . Here are a few holiday scams you can avoid :
• Gift Cards : Be careful where you purchase gift cards . Never purchase them from an unknown source , especially on-line . Stores are also filled with racks of gift cards that give shoppers many options .
However , it is also very simple for a thief to tamper with them . A thief can easily scan codes , copy down PIN numbers , or replace new gift cards with used ones . There have been many cases where people receive a gift card only to find when they try to use it , there is no balance remaining on the card . Your best option is to get the card directly from the store they are from and from the store cashier . You can also ask the cashier to scan the card to ensure it has the correct balance before you leave the store .
• Shipping Phishing Attacks : After making holiday purchases on-line , many consumers pay close attention to delivery and email confirmations . Criminals
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