How to avoid package theft on Amazon Prime Day

The two days of Amazon deals is expected to bring millions of online shoppers, and that could mean millions of packages left sitting on door steps.

Law enforcement officials are warning those taking part in the 48 hours of deals to try to minimize the risk of thieves getting ahold of those packages first.

“We recommend that you don’t leave packages sitting in front of your house overnight. Try to reduce the amount of time that it does actually sit outside to prevent the likelihood of anybody seeing them out there,” said Sgt. Dee Baldwin with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.

If you can’t wait around for your package to arrive, they also recommend getting it delivered to your work or P.O. Box rather than letting it sit on the front porch.

If that is not an option, Sgt. Baldwin said, “There’s also alternative delivery points. Amazon offers locker shipments that allow you to have packages shipped to secure areas that are going to reduce the chance that anyone has the opportunity to take them.”

There are amazon lockers and most Safeway and Whole Foods in the Santa Cruz area. When you are checking out on Amazon, there is an option for delivery methods that will give you a list of locations close to you.

The Sheriff’s Office added that home security systems are also deterrents for thieves. They also help with the investigation in the case a package is stolen.

If you have any of your deliveries stolen, you are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at (831)471-1121.