How to outsmart thieves, protect your deliveries this holiday season

JACKSON, Tenn. — There’s just something special about finding that perfect holiday gift for the one you love. So, the last thing you want is someone stealing those gifts from your doorstep.

There are several ways to protect yourself from these so-called porch pirates. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday upon us, many people are shopping online.

In fact, a recent survey by the National Retail Federation estimates holiday spending to hit nearly $1 trillion this year.

Online orders can arrive without a hitch for some. While others fall victim to porch pirates — people who steal packages right from your doorstep.

If your package is stolen, make sure to contact the police.

“Treat this like any other crime. But then, they also can contact our customer service team so that we can make sure to help you make sure to find a solution that’s best for you,” said Richard Rocha, Amazon spokesperson.

There are several ways to protect yourself before this happens with delivery alerts, and hidden drop off spots.

“Make sure you know when you ordered your package and when it’s expected to arrive. We have a lot of options that technology built into our process for customers to make that process easy. We offer photo on delivery so you can see exactly where that package was placed or you can even leave a note for your driver to indicate exactly where you want that package placed,” said Rocha.

Amazon shoppers can also use one of the 25,000 locations that have pickup points.

“So, if you know you are not going to be home, or you know a neighbor isn’t able to grab a package for you quickly; you can have it delivered to that location and pick it up when it’s convenient for you Rocha.

Shoppers are also encouraged to contact customer service through an app and make sure to sign in to ensure account privacy.

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