MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It's one of the biggest shopping days of the year as 72.3 million Americans are expected to shop for Cyber Monday, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
"Retail continues to grow at a steady pace as consumers spend on core areas of their lives, as well as these important seasonal moments," said NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen.
If you plan on catching those online sales, it's important to make sure you get your packages before thieves do.
There were 675 porch thefts between January and October of 2024 according to data from the Memphis Police Department. That's up 7.7% from the same time in 2023.
The number of porch thefts spiked in December 2023.
Amazon spokesperson Richard Rocha said there are a few ways to deter porch pirates.
"Remain aware. Make sure you know when your packages are coming," Rocha said. "Make sure you're there to receive them or you have a neighbor or friend who might be able to get them for you."
For some delivery companies, like Amazon, you can set a specific delivery day or pick-up your package from a store.
"We're all about convenience, so we have 25,000 locations where if you're not going to be home, you can pick one of those locations and grab it," Rocha said. "You can even set a day that you want your packages delivered."
Here are some more ways you can protect your packages:
- Always track your packages
- Request a signature for deliveries if possible
- Change the delivery location to your job, a family member's house, or another trusted site
- Install a camera or motion-activated light outside your home
If your packages are stolen, you should contact the delivery company or seller and law enforcement.
You can also contact your bank to see if your card offers refunds for stolen packages.