Jeramey Lende / Shutterstock.com
Cheers! It’s National Package Protection Day! If you’re wondering why you should be celebrating, keeping your deliveries protected is actually a huge way to save money-especially during the holiday season. One in three Americans report having at least one package stolen. In 2020, 1.7 million packages were stolen or lost every day in the U.S., according to researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, resulting in $25 million of lost goods. So raise a glass and toast to these ways to keep all of your prized presents for yourself and others safe from package thieves.
Budget: 20 Ways to Pay Less at Costco
Find Out: How Much Does a Costco Membership Really Save You?
Schedule Deliveries
Many retailers and shipping companies — like FedEx — allow you to either schedule deliveries or at least get notifications for when the package is arriving. If you’re able to schedule the delivery, make it a time when you know for sure you’ll be home and able to retrieve the package as soon as it arrives. If you can’t directly schedule the delivery, turn on notifications so you know when the package comes and you can get it as soon as possible to reduce the likelihood of a person taking it.
Leave Specific Delivery Instructions
Most of the time, when you order something online, there’s space for delivery notes. Is there a place that’s slightly out of view from the street that might be safer for the courier to leave a package? Or if you live in an apartment, can you have the package dropped off at the management office? Indicate those areas in your delivery notes so your package isn’t dropped right in front of your house or apartment.
Require a Signature
Home most of the day? It’s worth opting for a signature to receive your packages. That way, there’s no way the delivery person will leave a package on your doorstep. You can receive the delivery as soon as it comes and store it inside.
Have the Package Delivered to a Storefront or Locker
If you’re gone most of the day and want some peace of mind, have your packages delivered directly to the post office, UPS or FedEx or the retailer you ordered from so you can pick them up when it’s convenient for you. You can also opt to pick up Amazon packages at one of the 900 locker locations they have in the …….
Source: https://www.gobankingrates.com/saving-money/holiday/protect-your-packages/