Tips for Safe Package Delivery
The holiday season brings cheer, but unfortunately it also brings an increased chance of package thefts. Fortunately, the major carriers offer helpful tracking and delivery options. Please consider these steps when shipping or receiving packages this season.
- Retrieve packages left outside your door or mailbox as soon as you can.
- Report any package theft to the police department, and check your rental insurance policy to see if the value of your package is reimbursable.
- Have your packages delivered to a secure off-site location provided by the carrier.
FedEx
With the Fedex Delivery Manager online tool, you can keep track of your packages, arrange to pick them up at a nearby location to keep gifts away from prying eyes, get delivery notifications and much more.
UPS
The UPS Access Point network including The UPS Store®, nearby retailers, and self-service lockers serve as convenient and secure locations to drop off and pick up packages. Simply give the Access Point™ location as the shipping address to your friends and family, or enter it as the shipping address in your online order.
Also, UPS offers a service called My Choice (the basic program is free) that gives you advance notice of delivery times and allows you to reroute packages to another address or reschedule deliveries for a future date. You can also activate a vacation setting to have packages held and delivered when you return home.
US Postal Service
The USPS has a variety of online tools to help you manage your packages and mail, from Informed Delivery to Package Intercept (you’ll need to create an account first). You can also leave a note on your mailbox informing the carrier to take the package to a local post office. Remember, you’ll need a valid photo ID to pick it up.
Amazon
With Amazon Hub, you can designate delivery to a nearby Amazon Locker (a self-service kiosk) or an Amazon Counter (retail stores, transit stations, etc.). During the checkout process, just select your preferred pickup location. You’ll receive a pickup code when the package is delivered. You then have 3 days to collect your package, after which package will be returned to Amazon.
