Ordered a gift online that’s missing? BBB, Amazon share tips to prevent package theft in WA

Plenty of Washingtonians will turn to online shopping to buy gifts this holiday season. But with that comes the risk of package theft.

According to Capital One’s research division, 21.3% of Washingtonians have a package stolen in a given year, one of the higher rates in the country, with the median value of the packages estimated to be $45.

So how can you prevent packages from being stolen, and what should you do if one goes missing?

How to prevent package theft

Cameron Nakashima, Media Engagement Manager at the Better Business Bureau’s Great West and Pacific region, said one of the easiest ways to prevent package theft is to have online orders delivered to a safe location, rather than, say, a doorstep that’s visible from the street.

“If package theft is an issue at your home, BBB recommends having the package delivered to a secure location, such as a designated delivery pickup location or your work, if allowed by your employer. If that is not an option, consider requiring a signature for delivery,” Nakashima told McClatchy in an email. “These simple precautions can help ensure your gifts reach their intended recipients.”

BBB also recommends that customers opt in to package tracking notifications and install a video doorbell, if possible.

Amazon, which handles a large chunk of the e-commerce market — nearly 38% according to an estimate published by Statista — has some tips as well.

According to company spokesperson Alisa Carroll, Amazon recommends that customers take these steps if they’re concerned about package theft:

• Track their packages

• Specify a drop-off location that’s out of view

• If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can designate a preferred day for package delivery

• If you know you won’t be home when a package is arriving, ask friends or family to take it in for you

Additionally, Carroll says that the company offers package safety features, some of which can be overlooked.

“As well as providing a number of delivery options, we use notification and tracking technology to help customers keep tabs on their orders and ensure packages arrive as expected,” Carroll told McClatchy in an email.

Those include a delivery photo that allows customers to see where their package was dropped off. If your package is missing, you can check the delivery photo to see if it was delivered to the wrong address or at a part of your residence that you don’t normally check. Amazon also provides customers with a two-to-four hour time frame around when a package is expected to arrive, so they can try to be home when the package arrives.

What should you do if a package is stolen?

Even if you take precautions there’s still a risk of package theft. According to Carroll, Amazon recommends that customers treat stolen packages like any other form of theft and contact their local police department.

“If customers feel they’ve been a victim of package theft, we suggest they contact law enforcement to report it as they would any other crime,” Carroll said.

Nakashima said it’s also worthwhile to check with your credit card company, as some offer refunds for online purchases that are stolen.

“When shopping online, use a credit card as often as possible because credit card companies are more likely to offer refunds in the event of theft.”

This story was originally published December 23, 2024 at 3:48 PM.