BBB Holiday Package-Theft Guide: More Than One in Four Consumers Have Had a Package Stolen
With holiday shopping season approaching and delivery volumes climbing, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has published its guidance for safe, successful holiday deliveries, aimed at two threats: "porch pirates" who steal unattended packages, and scammers who send fake delivery messages. A study cited by the BBB found that more than one in four consumers have had a package stolen, that theft is more common at single-family homes than at apartments or condos, and that thieves favor porches that are easily visible and close to the street.
The BBB's first set of tips targets scam messages. Keep track of your deliveries: know what you have ordered, from which companies, and when each package is due, and use the tracking number to check its status. Know how your delivery company typically contacts you, and be wary of unsolicited texts or emails, especially if you never signed up for delivery alerts; do not click links in those messages, and instead go directly to the carrier's or retailer's website. Examine any "missed delivery" notice left at your door: fakes often have poor grammar, logos that look slightly wrong, and inaccurate contact information.
The second set of tips protects the packages themselves. Do not leave packages unattended: schedule delivery for when someone will be home, or ask a neighbor or friend to hold them if you will be away. Consider shipping to a store, a pickup locker, a post office box, or a package receiving service. For valuable items, request signature confirmation, which requires someone to sign for the delivery and may carry a fee. Leave instructions asking the driver to place packages somewhere discreet, and consider a security camera or camera doorbell, which can deter theft when highly visible and provide evidence if a theft occurs. If a package is stolen, the BBB advises reporting it to local police and the delivery company, asking about insurance or reimbursement options, and reporting scams through BBB Scam Tracker.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：投递到家门口的快递包裹（Wikimedia Commons，Meanwell Packaging 摄，CC BY 2.0） / Photo: A parcel delivered to a doorstep (Wikimedia Commons, by Meanwell Packaging, CC BY 2.0)
