Tips to outsmart those sneaky porch pirates waiting to snatch all those Cyber Monday packages!

‘Tis the season for creepy criminals ready to steal your holiday spirit by snatching packages off your doorstep.

HOUSTON — Experts predicted holiday shoppers would spend a record $14.2 billion online on Cyber Monday alone. 

But as those packages start hitting doorsteps, porch pirates won’t be far behind.

A KHOU 11 viewer in the Heights learned that the hard way. She shared surveillance video of thieves stealing a pile of packages off her porch while she was out of town for Thanksgiving. You can also see their pickup truck with several packages stacked in the back, so she probably wasn’t the only victim.

It’s a reminder that any packages left unattended on your porch could be at risk any time of the year, and especially over the holidays when people are shopping more than usual.

Amazon spokesperson Richard Rocha offered some tips to protect your purchases. 

  • When you’re notified that it’s been delivered but you’re not home, ask a neighbor, friend or family member to pick it up for you.
  • Amazon also has a share-tracking feature to notify someone else that it’s been delivered so they can pick up your package.
  • Or have it delivered at one of Amazon’s 25,000 package pickup locations.

Got a news tip or story idea? Email us at newstips@khou.com or call 713-521-4310 and include your name and the best way to reach you.

Original News Source