'Parcel Pirates' Following Delivery Trucks, Stealing Packages
SACAMRAMENTO (CBS13) - Wednesday was the busiest delivery day of the year. This holiday season, package deliveries are up by about 12 percent, but also on the rise are package thefts.
A lot of people are asking the question: How can you protect yourself from delivery theft? CBS13's Anjali Hemphill has answers.
A real-life Scrooge walks up to a Stockton porch in broad daylight and makes off with their Christmas gifts.
Postal service spokesman Gus Ruiz says as more and more people are taking advantage of shopping online, thieves are taking advantage as well.
"These parcel pirates are following these truck, and as soon as they drop off a parcel at a doorstep and they see that it is unattended, they will swoop in, take it and off they go," said Ruiz.
Ruiz says that's why more protections are being put in place for both the sender and recipient. He recommends to always require a signature when a package is delivered. And even if you miss the mailman, the package can be picked up.
"It may be a little inconvenient that the person has to take that left notice and go to a post office, but I think they would rather suffer the inconvenience than lose the package," he says.
For the recipient of the package, a spokesman for FedEx tells CBS13 over the phone about their delivery manager where you can go online and reschedule or reroute a package to a more convenient time or place.
"It allows you to reroute shipments, have them held, and it will also send you a text or email alerting you that shipments are on their way to your home," said a spokesperson.
Both FedEx and the postal service also agree that an old-fashioned good relationship with your neighbor will also keep you protected.
"My neighbor usually I get their stuff for them, because they will leave a note for someone to come over here," said D'Andrea, a Stockton resident.
The Internet has created a new industry of shipment security.
"We feel that if they continue to use the postal service and follow those tips that we gave them, their shipments should be safe," said Ruiz.
Senders can also pay a small fee for insurance or a declared value on their packages so they can get reimbursed if the package never arrives to the sender.
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