Many online shoppers will be taking advantage of the special deals being offered during Amazon Prime Day. When making your purchases, it’s important to remember that package thieves don’t just operate during the holidays. Taking some precautions can protect your items from being hauled off by a porch pirate. Here are some suggestions from the Better Business Bureau website:
Track your packages: Follow shipments from the seller to your front door with online, text message or phone call tracking offered through the delivery company. Sign up for alerts to be notified of delays or exceptions and when the package has been delivered.
Be available for delivery: Track packages and arrange to be available during estimated delivery times, have a trusted friend or neighbor pick up the packages in a timely manner after delivery or ship to your work address (pending company approval). Package delivery thieves have been known to follow delivery trucks aro und town, stealing packages immediately after delivery. If you can’t arrange for pickup shortly after delivery, keep reading for alternative safe delivery tips!
Request a signature: This package delivery feature will likely come with a fee, but without a recipient’s signature, the delivery service won’t be able to leave a package exposed on a doorstep.
Personalize delivery: Schedule a certain day and/or time for your package delivery, including evenings and weekends or provide specific instructions on where a package should be placed to keep the delivery hidden from public view. Consumers can also request a package be held at a delivery center or shipped to a retailer’s nearest store location for in-person pickup. Fees for personalization do vary by delivery service.
Use your credit card: When making purchases online, use your credit card rather than a debit card or another form of payment. Credit card companies are more likely to offer refun ds in the event of theft.
Insure valuable items: Purchase delivery insurance to protect merchandise against loss or damage.
