Tips to outsmart porch pirates over the holiday season – WFMYNews2.com

GREENSBORO, N.C. Greensboro police are sending a warning to the public to be on the lookout for porch pirates - people stealing packages from unsuspecting homeowners.

Thieves are swiping deliveries from front porches and mailboxes before the packages reach the rightful owners.

Package theft has been a growing problem in the U.S. for years, especially over the holiday season.

According to a 2017 study from insuranceQuotes, 25.9 million Americans have had a holiday package stolen from their front porch or doorstep - up from 23.5 million porch thefts reported in 2015.

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"During the holidays, certain crimes and home hazards increase. Homeowners need to take precautions and make sure they have the right insurance to protect their finances," said Laura Adams, senior insurance analyst at insuranceQuotes. "You could have packages delivered to your office or a local lockeror use motion detectors, security systems and light timers to fend off thieves."

TheBBBoffers the following tips to outsmart porch pirates over the holiday season:

If you or someone you know has been affected by stolen packages, report it to BBB Scam Tracker to help warn others.

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Tips to outsmart porch pirates over the holiday season - WFMYNews2.com