Protecting Holiday Packages

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Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) –Holiday gift giving means a surge in sending for the U.S. Postal Service.

“The postal service between Thanksgiving and New Years will ship 600 million packages,” says Harry Spratlin with the U.S. Postal Service.

In recent years the postal service has seen a significant increase in package numbers as online shopping gains popularity.

Spratlin explains, “The postal service has added double digit shipping numbers over the last five years, every year. This year we’re expecting another over 29% added package volume.”

But not all of those packages will end up with the intended recipient. According to InsuranceQuotes.com, 23 million Americans have had packages stolen from their door steps.

“We want a partnership with you, we want you to do the best job you can to receive those packages and to be aware that they are coming to your home,” says Spratlin.

The postal service is urging residents to take precautions to prevent package theft.

Spratlin suggests, “Be aware of the mailing dates that you are expecting from orders that you make or from relatives sending you packages. If you’re going to be out of town you can tell us to do a hold mail for you. You can do that online or at the postoffice.”

The same technology causing the influx of packages also provides new methods of protecting mail.

Spratlin adds, “Any class of mail that can be tracked can be tracked online and you can get a, you can go to my USPS.com can you can get text alerts when you package is coming to you.”

But even technology can’t prevent all package theft.

“If you miss out on package delivery and you think you’ve been a victim of mail theft you should call 911 and report it to the authorities fill out a police report it is a federal offense when people mess with the mail,” says Spratlin.

Additional ways to protect your packages via USPS include:

– Upgrade package security
– Schedule your delivery date by using Priority Mail Express
– Help neighbors by being aware of packages on doorsteps surrounding your home.