How To Avoid Having Your Holiday Packages Stolen
DENVER (CBS4) - 'Tis the season for thieves to take packages delivered to homes. But as the busy holiday gift ordering and sending gets started, there are some ways to avoid becoming a victim this year.
UPS, FedEx and the United States Postal Service all have online, even phone apps available for customers to get their packages safely. The goal is that deliveries don't end up sitting outside your door in plain view for a thief.
UPS is also asking local business to help. It's part of a new concept by UPS called Access Point. They've teamed up with local businesses in Denver so you can pick up packages near your home if a driver doesn't feel safe to leave it.
Peter Roper owns Denver Bicycle, one of the drop-off locations.
"The driver comes, drops off a pile of packages that we check in and store and customers of UPS can come in and request their box," Roper said.
There are 40 Denver access locations for UPS.
Meanwhile, the USPS will be delivering 600 million packages this December. That can unfortunately create opportunities for thieves, according to David Rupert of the USPS.
"Obviously a lot of Christmas joy is out there, but we don't want the Grinch to steal away that joy," Rupert said.
Such as a woman recently did to a Thornton family. Police are trying to identify the woman who stole packages and got caught on home surveillance video. It happened minutes after a UPS driver dropped it off and the family was inside their home.
All mail carriers -- from UPS, USPS and FedEx all have services where customers can be notified when a package is in route.
Rupert says the USPS has an app you can login into.
"We can send you a text message, or email when your parcel is on carrier truck on way to house -- that way you know it's coming," he said.
If you're not home, you can redirect the package and even have it delivered to your office.
As for the Access Point locations for UPS, it's been a win-win for everyone, according to Roper.
"We just love getting more new faces in the business," he said.
You can also leave instructions for drivers to place your packages in a certain place near your home, like a back porch or behind a bush.
Jennifer Brice is a reporter with CBS4 focusing on crime and courts. Follow her on Twitter @CBS4Jenn.
