A branch of Crime Stoppers in Ontario is warning online shoppers to watch out for so-called 鈥減orch pirates鈥� who steal packages from outside people鈥檚 front doors.
Amanda Allen from Crime Stoppers Windsor and Essex County says that shoppers need to have a plan for what happens in case a package is dropped off when they are not at home.
For example, Allen once arranged for a retired neighbour to pick up one of her packages while she was at work, so that it wasn鈥檛 sitting on her porch tempting would-be thieves.
鈥淭he fact is, a lot of times it鈥檚 a crime of opportunity,鈥� Allen told CTV Windsor.
Another way to deter theft -- or to at least help police catch package pilferers -- is with security cameras.
Allen says that people who choose that option need to make sure they have good lighting both day and night.
鈥淢ake sure it does produce a clear photo,鈥� she said. 鈥淎 picture of the top of somebody鈥檚 head really doesn鈥檛 help.鈥�
Another way to avoid package theft is to have them delivered to a free storage service like PenguinPickUp instead of your home.
PenguinPickUp guards packages from companies like Walmart and FedEx until they can be picked up.
Amazon, one of the world鈥檚 biggest online retailers, also offers customers the option of picking up their parcels at Canada Post locations, or in the Vancouver and Toronto areas.
While not available in Canada, Amazon offers U.S. shoppers a special door lock that allows Amazon employees to deposit packages just inside customers鈥� doors.
