For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Office: 978-971-8101
Email: john@jgpr.net

West Newbury Police Offer Tips to Prevent Holiday Package Theft

WEST NEWBURY — With the holiday shopping season officially here, Chief Art Reed and the West Newbury Police Department wish to remind residents of several precautions they can take when ordering items online to help prevent their gifts from falling into the wrong hands.

“Unfortunately there are criminals out there who use this time of year to prey on people who have purchased gifts for their family and friends,” Chief Reed said. “I encourage everyone to take reasonable precautions to ensure that the items they order online this holiday season aren’t targeted by thieves.”

FedEx and UPS offer services to assist customers during the holidays. To best ensure that your packages are not taken, West Newbury Police recommend the following strategies:

• Request notifications on your deliveries, via phone or email, to monitor your packages in transit and upon delivery.
• Always require a signature on your deliveries to ensure packages are never left unattended.
• Consider sending deliveries to an alternate location where someone will be able to receive them – whether that be a workplace, a neighbor or friend’s house, or a FedEx or UPS location.
• Schedule your delivery for a specific date and time that you’re expected to be home.
• Set up a vacation hold if you plan on traveling during the holidays so gifts won’t be left on the doorstep.
• Be aware of “tailgating,” which refers to the people who follow delivery vehicles and steal the packages after they are dropped off.
• If you find your package has been stolen, reach out to West Newbury Police and report it immediately.
• Never accept a surprise delivery where a payment is required, and never give out personal information when receiving a delivery that you purchased.