Protecting your holiday packages from thieves

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- More and more shoppers are turning to the web for their holiday purchases.

Experts predict over $100 billion will be spent shopping online during this holiday season alone. But with online sales booming, thieves could be looming.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Timothy Greene tells Action News thieves have seized the opportunity of the online shopping boom, as more parcels are getting shipped to homes and left unattended.

Greene says it is being estimated that over 23-million Americans will have their packages stolen from their front porches during the season.

Home surveillance footage released by various law enforcement agencies show people making off with someone else's shipments.

Though Greene notes, cameras can be a deterrent. He also says to check tracking information to ensure you're home for delivery.

"If you can have it delivered to a place of employment, or see if they have where you have to sign for package," Greene said.

Other residents have their own deterrents.

"I have a fenced-in yard, and a dog, so we're OK," Tom Schwartz of Northeast Philadelphia said.

"Fortunately, I have a deck so they can throw my packages over the deck and someone is going to have to do some climbing to get to them, so I'm pretty good," Nina Pettit of West Philadelphia said.

Consumers can also explore other preventive measures like lockboxes which are available through some companies.

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