Take steps to make sure you receive what you ordered!
Every year around the holidays, there is an increase in packages ordered online and delivered to homes. This also can come with an increase in thefts when the packages are left unattended outside. Victims usually report the theft to their shippers so the police department may not know the extent of these thefts.
Doorstep delivery can be a crime of opportunity. It could be someone following a delivery truck or it could be someone who happens to be in the area and sees a package delivered.
In looking at the most frequently used delivery services, here are some suggestions the shippers made.
-
- Ship the package to a location where you know someone will be available to receive it. Consider selecting the “signature required†option.
- Send any FedEx package directly to a FedEx Office location near you or choose from several delivery options. You can have it held for pickup at one of the stations. You can go to www.fedex.com to find the nearest location or call 1-800-GO-FEDEX.
- UPS also has stores that a package can be routed to and have several options for delivery choices. Their information is www.UPS.com or 1-800-PICK-UPS.
- The United States Postal Service has a number of ways to track and secure safe delivery for your packages. You have options on how you want the package delivered as well as tracking and insuring the package. Many of their tips are similar to UPS and FedEx. More info:Â www.usps.com
As neighbors, if you see something suspicious such as a person picking up a package off your neighbor’s front step or a car following a delivery van, please call 911 immediately.
If you are a victim of this crime, please contact 311 or file a police report online. If you have suspect information, call 911. Depending on who was set to deliver your package, you can also file a mail theft complaint through the US Postal Inspection Service (go.usa.gov/x8WjE), file a lost package through UPS (goo.gl/AZc7IY), or file a claim through FedEx (goo.gl/p2NGL0). If you used another carrier, check with them on what you need to do in order to file a report for a lost or stolen item.
For further crime prevention resources, please visit:Â Â http://minneapolismn.gov/police/crimeprevention/index.htm