Hamilton County Sheriff's Office gives tips to prevent stolen packages this holiday season

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office gives tips to prevent stolen packages this holiday season

Holiday shopping season is upon us.

Crooks could be coming soon to porch near you.

News 12's dorothy sherman shares some timely tips to keep your packages away from pirates.

Dsherman@wdef.com/dorothy sherman: "more people could be doing their holiday shopping online this year because we're in the coronavirus pandemic which could mean more packages at front doors."

It's not uncommon this time of year for criminals to look for an opportunity to try to take something that was delivered to you.

Hamilton county sgt.

Robin langford: "we have a heavy influx of stolen packages.

Most of them are taken off of porches and out of mailboxes."

Hamilton county sgt.

Robin langford says that one issue they have is that people simply forget about the package that they had delivered to themselves and as it sits there on the porch folks will drive by, see it and take it.

Hamilton county sgt.

Robin langford: "probably the number one thing is monitor your tracking number, watch it, stay on top of it.

Know when your package is going to get delivered."

If you aren't going to be home, he says to either have a trusted neighbor grab it or put a hold on it and pick it up at a facility.

He also recommends having your package delivered to your work.

Hamilton county sgt.

Robin langford: "if the employer doesn't mind packages being delivered there, personal packages, that's probably one of the best options there is."

If your package is missing, sgt.

Langford says start by making a police report.

Hamilton county sgt.

Robin langford: "check with the company which you purchased it from or the delivery company.

See if you can get varification that the package was actually delivered.

See if there's insurance.

When you purchase something it's sometimes a good idea to get insurance on it especially if it's a high value item that way if it does end up disappearing for whatever reason, gets lost in the system or gets stolen, there's some compensation for that package."

Dsherman@wdef.com/dorothy sherman: "sgt.

Langford also suggests not putting boxes from stuff like tvs out by the road.

Displaying what you may have could potentially make you a target.

In chattanooga, dorothy sherman, news 12 now."