Package Theft Prevention Tips For 2018 Holiday Season: Police

SILVER SPRING, MD — For Montgomery County residents, the holiday season is about giving to others. But for porch pirates, it's about taking from unsuspecting strangers.

Montgomery County Police are reminding the public that criminals are on the hunt for unattended packages during the holidays. Most recently, a thief stole multiple packages in Germantown.

Law enforcement officers are offering residents tips on how they can prevent their packages from being stolen. Check out the list below:

Choose A Delivery Address Wisely

• Choose to Have Package Delivered to An Attended Location
  • When you order something online, consider sending the package to a place where you know someone will be available to receive it – your workplace or a friend or neighbor’s home.

• Choose to Have Package Delivered to Carrier Location
  • Have your deliveries sent to the nearest shipping company center. Many shipping carriers will hold the package for up to five days.

• Choose In-Store Pick Up
  • Many retailers provide the option of purchasing an item online and picking it up at the nearest retail location.

Know When Your Package Will Be Delivered – Sign Up For Notification Services

• Many shipment companies offer services to help you track your deliveries by receiving text messages or an e-mail. You can then plan on being home at the time of delivery or ask a trusted friend or neighbor to stop by the delivery location and retrieve the package.

• After receiving a notification alert and you determine that you won’t be home, many carriers allow you to re-route your shipment to another location or to the carrier’s facility for later pick-up.

Require A Signature

• Many shipping companies offer a service that requires a signature for a package to be released.

Provide Delivery Instructions

• Many carriers allow residents to provide instructions on where the deliveries should be placed at the home (side porch, garage door, etc.)

Insure Your Package

• Consider insuring your package. Contact your chosen mail carrier for coverage policies and requirements.

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