Package theft is on the rise, and it’s important to know the first steps to take to increase your chances of recovering your lost package. Here’s a simple and clear guide to what you need to do after you discover your package is missing, as well as tips to prevent package theft.
Steps To Take If Your Package Has Been Stolen
File a claim with the shipping company
Most shipping companies have policies to protect customers from package or mail theft. You can file a claim with the shipping company to get a refund or have the item replaced.
Here are specific guidelines to keep in mind when reporting stolen packages to major shipping companies:
1) How to report a stolen package to UPS
To report a stolen package to UPS, you can visit their website and file a claim online on the UPS website. You can file a claim within 60 days from the scheduled delivery date. You will need to provide the following information for your claim:
- Package Details
- Tracking Number
- Weight
- Contact Information of the Recipient
- Your Role
- Are you a sender, recipient, or a representative of either?
- If you are a shipper (where the sender processed shipping, like a Pack & Ship store), you are considered a Guest. You may be asked for additional documentation; claim status is limited for Guests.
- Documentation (any of the following):
- Invoice
- Receipt
- Purchase order
- Photo of package/contents
You’ll be able to check the claim status of your stolen package from your online dashboard, so you will need to create an account and sign in to the UPS website.
2) How to report a stolen package to FedEx
To report a stolen package to FedEx, you can call their customer service hotline or file a claim on the FedEx website.
You’ll need to provide FedEx with the following details to make a claim for your missing package:
- Tracking Number
- A Description of the Package and Contents
- Size and weight
- Brand name
- Quantity
- Any other identifying features
- Documentation for the value of the item (e.g. receipt, invoice, purchase order)
- Supporting Documents (e.g., confirmation of online order with proof of payment)
For U.S. deliveries: you should file your stolen package claim within 60 days from the shipment date.
For international deliveries: you should file your claim within 21 days from the shipment date.
FedEx will let you know if your claim requires an investigation and what next steps to take. The status of your claim will be available in your online account dashboard.
Note: FedEx encourages you to file your claim ASAP. You can start a claim, and then add details, documentation, and supporting documents later.
3) How to report a stolen package to Amazon
If you ordered from a third-party Amazon seller, Amazon asks you to contact them first to settle the issue through the following steps:
- Sign into Amazon and click “Your Orders”
- Click on the “Amazon Pay tab” in the top menu bar
- Select “Details” next to “Lost or stolen item”
- Choose your issue from the list; in this case, it’s “Where’s my stuff?”
- Amazon will send an automated message to the seller informing them that you haven’t received your items. You may edit the message to include additional information that the seller should know.
- Select “Send to merchant”
If the seller doesn’t cooperate and hasn’t responded in 48 hours, you can report a stolen package to Amazon directly. Here’s how to file a missing package claim to Amazon:
- Sign into Amazon and click “Your Orders”
- Find the specific order and select “Problem with order”
- Choose your issue from the list; in this case, it’s “Package didn’t arrive”
- Select “Request refund” and click submit. You can also provide the following details in the text box, if necessary:
- Tracking Number
- A Description of the Package and Contents
- Size and weight
- Brand name
- Quantity
- Any other identifying features
- Expected date of delivery
- Track the progress of your claim in the “Amazon Pay” tab. If approved, you will receive a refund through the original payment method.
Be sure to do this within 30 days of the scheduled delivery date. If the item was delivered more than 30 days ago, you may only receive a partial refund or none at all.
Contact the sender
Contact the sender and inform them of the theft. They may be able to help you file a claim with the shipping company or offer a replacement or refund.
Speak with neighbors
Ask your neighbors if they noticed anything suspicious or if they received your package by mistake. They may be able to provide valuable information to help you locate the stolen package.
File a police report
File a police report if you believe that a theft has occurred. You’ll need to provide the following details on your report:
- Description of the package
- Date and time of the delivery
- Other additional relevant information (e.g., confirmation of online order with proof of payment)
The police may conduct an investigation and work with you to try to locate the stolen package.
How to Prevent Package Theft
At the end of the day, prevention is always better than cure. Here are several steps you can take to prevent package theft:
Install a security camera
Installing a security camera helps deter package thieves. It can also provide hard evidence of the theft to present to the shipping company or police.
Request in-person delivery
Most shipping companies offer the option of in-person or restricted delivery, which adds an extra layer of security to your packages.
In-person delivery requires a signature from the recipient upon delivery. This means the package cannot be left unattended on your doorstep, reducing the risk of theft.
You can also opt for informed delivery or request that the delivery person only leave the package if someone is home to receive it.
Get a virtual mailbox
Consider getting a virtual mailbox if you frequently receive packages. A virtual mailbox allows you to receive and manage your mail online. This is especially helpful if you aren’t always available to receive the package yourself, because of a hectic schedule, or if you travel out of town regularly.
You can have your packages delivered to a staffed and secure location so they aren’t just sitting on your porch, and then you can decide when and where to have them delivered to you. You can also schedule for pickup at a time that’s convenient for you.
Keep Your Packages Safe from Porch Pirates
Package theft is a common occurrence, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
By taking the necessary steps and implementing preventive measures, you can minimize the risk of package theft and protect your important deliveries.
