What to Do If Porch Pirates Steal Your Package
With the volume of packages being delivered, chances are you or someone you know has been a victim of porch pirate theft. While there are numerous security measures you can take, such as having a neighbor pick up your package, delivered to your office, or using a parcel locker, most of us still have packages delivered to our home. Video door bells, security cameras and delivery tracking can help prevent package theft, but obviously the safety of your package is not guaranteed.
If your package is lost or stolen, here’s a step-by-step guide for helping law enforcement find the thief, or get reimbursed for your package if it’s in the wind.
File A Police Report
Filing a police report is an important step if you want to make an insurance claim for your stolen package. You may have to go to the police station to make your report and get a report number. When there aren’t any witnesses, police can’t do a lot but you have formal record of the theft. Share any doorbell or security camera footage you have. Also, it’s important for law enforcement to know if you find your neighborhood is being targeted by porch pirates.
Many victims now share their video footage on social media apps like Next Door, alerting neighbors and people in the area to that porch pirates are active.
Report Your Stolen Package to the Retailer
Contact the retailer to let them know you haven’t received your package. It’s possible that it has been delayed. If you’ve received a delivery alert with an image, you can notify the retailer that the package has been stolen. Here are some tips when contacting a customer service department:
- Let them know if you have video of the theft.
- Take a photo of a delivery notice without the package in place.
- Have your order or confirmation number available to help the retailer track your order.
- Let the retailer know the date and time the notification says your package was delivered.
The retailer may or may not be responsible for the package depending on their shipping policy. Some companies will send you a replacement or a refund. Here are three of the most common retailers and carriers and what to do if you think your package has been stolen (or is missing).
Amazon’s Find a Missing Package that Shows as Delivered info
Through Amazon Prime, you should be able to get a refund pretty easily. Amazon advises to wait 48 hours for the package to be delivered after you receive notification of delivery.
- Click here for a guide for tracking down missing Amazon packages.
File a Fedex Claim Online
Fedex lets you file a missing package claim online for items they’ve shipped in the US. Keep in mind you have up to nine months to file a lost package claim and 60 days to file for damaged contents.
- Keep any Fedex documents and packaging as evidence of damage.
- Start an online Fedex claim here.
File a UPS Claim – Domestic Shipping
You can file a UPS lost or stolen package claim for both domestic shipping. You’ll need to wait 24 hours after the expected delivery date before you can file a claim. Other UPS policies to keep in mind:
- You need to START your claim WITHIN 60 days of the SCHEDULED DELIVERY.
- You’ll need your UPS tracking number to start your claim and any invoice that shows the value of your package.
- After you’ve filed a claim, UPS will investigate the missing package. UPS categorizes the package as “missing” whether your package was lost or got stolen.
- Since they also issue the refund to the SELLER, you will need to contact the seller as well.
- Start an online UPS claim or view and existing one here.
File a United States Postal Service (UPSP) – Domestic Claim
Navigating filing a claim for a lost or stolen package with USPS requires more work, but you’ll need to file a claim for domestic shipping if your package was lost, damaged, or has broken or missing parts AND was covered by insurance.
USPS lists eligible items as: Priority Mail Express and other insured mail, COD items, and Registered Mail with insurance.
- The USPS has various filing periods for different kinds of mail, so make sure you’re filing in the right time period.
- If your shipment is covered by insurance, you should file an “Indemnity Claim – DMM609“. If the package was insured, you should be able to receive a refund from USPS. If the package was stolen, contact the seller for a replacement or refund.
- Click here for instructions about filing a claim with USPS.
- For your claim, you’ll need the tracking number, receipt that shows proof of insurance, and proof of the item’s value. If you have any video or still images of your package being stolen, submit them with your claim.
Becoming a victim of porch pirates is frustrating and inconvenient. Dealing with carriers can be frustrating as well. Should package theft occur, this listing can help you get a refund or replacement as quickly as possible. Consider home security measures such as video door bells and strategically placed security cameras to prevent theft and keep your home safe.
If you haven’t gotten enough about package theft and porch pirates, here’s more information!
Porch Pirate Protection!
What to Do If a Porch Pirate Strikes
How Legal Are Porch Pirate Traps
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