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- This holiday season, most of us are expecting packages.
- If your package has been lost or stolen, reach out to the sender or seller about a replacement or refund.
- You can also file a claim with the shipping company or your homeowners or renters insurance.
The holiday season is here and many of us are already shopping sales and planning gift-giving this year. But with the joy of the holiday season comes the headache of package theft.
According to a survey by ValuePenguin, 35% of Americans have had a package or delivery stolen. Security measures like cameras and the neighborhood watch are not deterring these porch pirates.
So as we approach another season of packages and deliveries, what should you do if you have an Amazon package stolen, a USPS package missing, or a UPS package lost?
1. Track the package
If you suspect that your package has been stolen, the first thing to do is check your confirmation email and tracking number to make sure that it was actually delivered. Your package might be lost, could be facing shipping delays, or may be stuck at the delivery hub before it gets to you.
Before you take the next steps, ensure you've checked all the places your package could have been left, including outdoor spaces like porches and garages, as well as checking with neighbors who may have accepted it on your behalf. Anyone you contact to report that the package has been lost or stolen will ask if you have checked before they proceed with your claim.
2. Contact the retailer
If in fact your package has been lost or stolen, contact the retailer and let them know what has happened. Every retailer has its own policy on lost packages or stolen items, but most will at least send out a replacement for what was taken or even offer a refund.
3. File a claim with the shipping company
You can file a claim for a stolen package with Fedex and UPS. To file a claim with Fedex for U.S. packages, you must file no later than 60 calendar days from the shipment date. For international packages, it's 21 calendar days.
For UPS, you will need to wait 24 hours after the date it was supposed to be delivered before you can file a claim. UPS claims take about 10 days to investigate and process.
4. File a police report
This would seem like the first thing you would do, right? Maybe, but the police are not rushing in to investigate porch pirates. Unless you have proof such as video evidence, it can be hard to prove theft that rises to the level of a police investigation. Thieves are aware that homeowners may have cameras, and can wear hoodies or face masks to conceal their identity.
5. Use the purchase protection feature on your credit card
Many credit cards offer purchase protection that will reimburse you for stolen items — as long as the item was purchased entirely with that credit card and the credit card issuer is notified within a specific period of time. Review your credit card policies to check for this coverage and to file a claim.
6. Contact your homeowners or renters insurance company
Package theft will be covered under your personal property coverage. Most homeowners insurance and renters insurance policies will have limits for jewelry, high-end electronics, and even cash. It's advisable to check these limits before you have items of this type delivered. When I ordered my new iPhone, I didn't take the chance it could be lost or stolen: I elected to have it delivered to the store and pick it up myself.
Jennifer Streaks Senior Personal Finance Reporter and Spokesperson Jennifer Streaks is a personal finance expert who writes about credit for Business Insider. She has covered financial topics for over a decade, writing about her own experiences and sharing her expertise to give consumers actionable financial advice.Along with exploring credit scores, credit reports, and how to build credit, Jennifer analyzes how current economic trends impact everyday people and offers her expert advice on budgeting, saving, and growing wealth in today’s economy. She regularly appears as an on-air financial commentator on programs like Good Morning America, CBS, and MSNBC.ExperienceBefore joining Business Insider, Jennifer was a financial contributor for CNBC and covered personal finance, entrepreneurship, tech, and the economy for Forbes. Her work has appeared in TheGrio, Black Enterprise, and USA Today. Jennifer is also the author of "Thrive! ... Affordably: Your Month-to-Month Guide to Living Your Best Life Without Breaking the Bank." The book offers advice, tips, and financial management lessons geared toward helping the reader highlight strengths, identify missteps, and take control of their finances.Jennifer’s most important financial advice to her friends is to always have an emergency fund.ExpertiseJennifer’s expertise includes:- Credit scores
- Credit history
- Credit reports
- Budgeting
- Saving
- Housing
- Retirement
- The economy
- Financial trends
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