Stop ‘porch piracy’ during holiday shopping
The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas is offering information to ensure your packages are delivered to you safe and secure. Unfortunately, every holiday season, thieves known as “porch pirates” steal packages directly from people’s doorsteps while they are away from their homes.
The BBB offers the following safe delivery tips, so these holiday Grinches don’t spoil your holidays:
• 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.
• Ship to an alternate location. Check with your employer since some employers will allow package delivery to your place of work for safe keeping. Consider store pick-up options rather than delivering to your home. Some online retailers may offer alternative shipping options, too.
Check to see if they offer a delivery option where you can pick up your items at a delivery hub near you. You also may choose to pick up your orders from your local UPS, FedEx or U.S. Post Office.
• Ask neighbors. If you know people who work out of their home or stay at home that live near you, ask them to look out for your deliveries and keep them safe for you.
• Request a signature. This packagedelivery step 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.
• Use your credit card. When making purchases online, use a credit card rather than a debit card or another form of payment. Credit card companies are more likely to offer refunds in the event of theft. Notify the seller if you did not receive your order.
• Insure valuable items. Purchase delivery insurance to protect merchandise against loss or damage. Contact police if you become a victim of package theft.
• Consider home security options. For an extra level of security, in order to monitor your home and catch any porch pirates, consider installing security cameras on your porch and at other entrances to your home. You may try self-installing the cameras or hire a business. Check out any companies first at BBBHouston.org. • Be wary of scams. Consumers waiting on presents to arrive also should be aware of fake package delivery emails claiming there is an issue with your latest purchase. Attachments and links associated with these phishing scams likely contain a virus and are designed to steal shoppers’ personal and financial information. If you’ve been the target of a scam or suspect scam activity, report it to authorities and BBBHouston.org/scamtracker to warn others.
The Better Business Bureau is an unbiased nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews and BBB Wise Giving Reports to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. For information or to check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit www.bbbhouston.org, which includes our BBB Accredited Business Directory, or call 713-868-9500. Leah Napoliello is senior director of Investigative Services with the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas. Send questions regarding homeowner issues to Leah Napoliello, Better Business Bureau, 1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77027, or e-mail her at lnapoliello@bbbhou.org. Include mailing address and phone number on letters and emails.