Stolen Packages From Doorsteps Reported Across Fairfax County: Police

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Tis the season for holiday shopping and thieves on the lookout for packages on your doorstep. The Fairfax County Police Department has received about 15 reports of stolen packages from the doorsteps of apartments, townhouses and single family homes across the county, it said this weekend.

As online shoppers plow through their holiday gift lists, UPS, Federal Express and U.S. Postal Service trucks are driving through neighborhoods dropping off goodies. And in a move dubbed "front porch shopping," observant thieves will follow delivery trucks and steal recently delivered packages from porches and stoops.

The gift season looks bright for thieves, with sales in November and December expected to increase 3.6 percent to $655.8 billion overall, according to the National Retail Federation. Online sales should increase between 7 and 10 percent to about $117 billion.

FCPD is offering these safety tips to help ensure you receive all the online gifts and goodies you order this holiday season:

Require a signature upon delivery. If you can't be home, consider sending your item to a friend's home, if they can be available to sign.

• Have the item delivered to your workplace, if permitted.
• Some vendors now have package pickup locations; you have to go there to get your item, but it is securely stored.
• Have the package delivered or held at a carrier location, like a UPS or FedEX facility. Many will hold your package for several days.
• Select in-store pickup versus shipping. You may save on shipping fees by picking up the item yourself.
• Closely track your deliveries. Know exactly which day and around what time it'll arrive. Many carriers offer text and e-mail notifications.
• Can you provide delivery instructions? Having a driver put your package in a more inconspicuous location around your home may reduce the likelihood of it being seen and stolen.
• Keep an eye on your neighbor's home. If you're acquainted enough, you could hold the package in your home or notify your neighbor their package has arrived if you have their phone number or e-mail.

Patch Editor Deb Belt contributed to this story.

PHOTO of package courtesy of FCPD