GREENSBORO, N.C. - The countdown to Christmas Day is on.
If you're expecting a special holiday package in the mail for yourself or a loved one, be on the lookout for package thieves.
According to an insuranceQuotes study, about 25 million Americans have had a holiday package stolen from their front porch or doorstep.
That's up from 23.5 million porch thefts reported in 2015.
"During the holidays, certain crimes and home hazards increase. Homeowners need to take precautions and make sure they have the right insurance to protect their finances," said Laura Adams, senior insurance analyst at insuranceQuotes. "You could have packages delivered to your office or a local locker—or use motion detectors, security systems and light timers to fend off thieves."
According to a recent industry study, 75% of Americans are concerned about porch piracy.
Consumers are constantly on the hunt for convenient and secure options for package delivery.
Porch piracy is not only a concern for the public , but shipping companies and retailers too.
FedEX is currently working with major retailers , such as Walgreens, Kroger, and Albertsons, to provide alternatives for consumers to pick up packages in up to 5 business days.
It's all about putting a stop to package thieves and offering a peace of mind for consumers.
"Porch Piracy doesn't have to ruin anyone's holiday," said Randy Scarborough, Vice President of Retail Marketing at Fedex. "At Fedex, we're providing a range of options to give customers control when and where their packages are delivered. That includes our FedEx delivery app and more than 12,000 retail locations."
The FedEx mobile app gives package recipients the ability to electronically sign for a package, request a vacation hold, or choose a hold at a FedEx location.
FedEx has more than 425,000 team members around the world dedicated to helping holiday packages arrive safely and securely.
Here are a few additional steps you can take to help protect your holiday packages:
- Customize your deliveries. FedEx has a new service that helps you keep track of all FedEx packages headed your way. It's called FedEx Delivery Manager, and signup is free. You can set customized alerts that tell you when any FedEx package is on its way to your home. That way, you won't have to worry about your shipment sitting unattended on the porch just because no one knew it was there. Sign up at www.fedex.com/delivery
- Consider an alternate destination. When you order something online, consider sending the package to your workplace, or to a family member, friend or neighbor—someone whom you know will be there to receive it.
- Send it to a FedEx Office location. You can have your deliveries sent to the nearest FedEx Office location and we'll hold it for you for up to five days. If it's a FedEx Express package, you can also send it to one of our Express stations. Find the location nearest you at: www.fedex.com/locate.
- Request a signature. Many packages today are sent without requiring a signature for delivery. If you're shipping something of high value – or you just want to be sure items aren't left unattended – you can require a signature for packages to be released.
- Request a vacation hold. You can request a vacation hold on all shipments for up to 14 days.
- Reroute your packages even when they're already on the way. With FedEx Delivery Manager, you'll be alerted to every FedEx package headed to your home, even if you don't have the tracking number. If you know you won't be home and want to send them somewhere else, just redirect the delivery to a secure location.
- Leave delivery instructions. Use FedEx Delivery Manager to leave one-time-only or standing instructions for where you want your deliveries, such as at the back door or with the apartment office. Or call 1-800-GO-FEDEX (1-800-463-3339) to leave more detailed one-time or standing instructions.
- Keep Safety First: All drivers for FedEx will have a FedEx ID badge —usually worn on their upper arm, or on a lanyard. Some drivers carrying FedEx Ground packages may not wear branded uniforms or drive trucks with the FedEx logo on them, but every driver is happy to show identification whenever you ask. We want you, and your packages, to be safe and secure.