Package theft peaks when deliveries do. With Black Friday about two weeks away, a few free settings can make a missed package less likely, and a few steps help if one still goes missing.
Before It Arrives: Free Tools
- USPS Informed Delivery. It is free and sends package tracking alerts by text or email. Signing up needs a USPS.com account and identity verification, which can take up to three business days. Sign up early.
- UPS My Choice. Basic membership is free. It adds delivery alerts and proof-of-delivery photos, and lets you say where to leave a package. Members can have a UPS Store or other Access Point hold a package for up to seven days at no extra charge. Some changes, such as a new delivery day, cost extra on the Basic plan.
- Don’t let it sit. Postal inspectors’ advice is to avoid leaving mail in the box overnight when you expect checks or cards. The same idea applies to parcels on the porch.
Note on USPS Package Intercept
It is not free, and it won’t help once a package is delivered. USPS lists a $19.45 non-refundable fee per successful intercept, and the service is only for items not yet out for delivery.
If a Package Goes Missing
- Check tracking and the area. Look at the delivery photo or note, then at neighbors, the garage and the mailbox.
- Contact the seller. Many sellers will resend or refund. Have the order number and tracking number ready. See our guide to disputing a card charge if the seller won’t help.
- For USPS mail, report the crime. Postal Inspectors take mail theft reports at uspis.gov/report or 1-877-876-2455.
- If it was USPS insured mail, file a claim. Either sender or recipient can do it at the USPS site with the mailing receipt, tracking number, proof of insurance and proof of value. Windows run from the mailing date, generally 15 to 60 days, and uninsured items are generally not covered.
- Call the police if you like. A report number can help with insurance or a card dispute.
We could not confirm FedEx’s or Amazon’s current claim rules from their official pages, so check those carriers’ help centers directly.
More on Contoh
- How to Shop Online Safely on Black Friday and Cyber Monday
- How to Dispute a Credit Card Charge: Deadlines, Steps and Your Rights