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Before I freak you out, it’s important to remember that most packages arrive safely to their destination without any problems.
But, like anything else in life, sometimes things happen and packages get lost along their journey. Packages also sometimes get stolen from porches or outside of a front door, but there are ways to prevent these types of incidents from happening.
Whether your package is simply lost or you believe it’s been stolen, here’s what you can do:
Before panicking about your package being lost, check the tracking number to see if the delivery has been delayed. With COVID-19, a lot of packages have taken extra time to be delivered, so don’t panic unless absolutely necessary. Another good idea is to see if your neighbors accidentally got the package instead of you. That happens more than you’d think!
But, if more than enough time has passed and your package still hasn’t arrived, reach out to the seller to let them know the package hasn’t been delivered. Hold on to your order confirmation number and any other information the company sent you in case they’re able to track down your order.
However, in most cases, the company will either send you a replacement or refund your money. For example, if you’ve purchased something from Amazon and it says it’s been delivered but you can’t find it, they’ll almost certainly send you a replacement, no questions asked.
Whether you have a hunch that your package was stolen or you have proof (from a security camera), it’s important to file a police report. If you do have proof of something being taken, the police will be able to use the footage to hopefully find the thief.
It’s also a good idea to talk to people in your neighborhood to see if they’ve had packages stolen as well. And, if they haven’t, it’s nice to give them a heads up and let them know they should keep a very close eye on their packages.
Another tip is to make sure packages do not sit outside your door for very long. If you’re planning to be out of town for an extended period of time, put a pause on mail being delivered. If a thief sees multiple packages pilled up outside your front door, there’s a good chance they’ll know nobody is home and try to snatch them.
