TOLEDO, Ohio — The holiday season typically brings a rise in package thefts, with porch pirates finding new ways to steal deliveries.
A west Toledo family says they've been targeted twice and they believe it could be linked to a potential data breach involving delivery information.
Kristen Perez said her home was hit by a thief after she ordered an iPad from AT&T for her daughter. Shortly after it was delivered on Oct. 24, it was stolen.
“I was appalled, I couldn’t believe it,” Perez said.
She contacted AT&T and FedEx and filed a police report to replace the stolen iPad, but the replacement was stolen less than a minute after delivery.
“It’s like they get our delivery information and are here waiting for our packages before we even get a chance to get to the door,” Perez said.
If you have any information regarding the thefts at Perez's home or other porch piracy, you can call or text Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
According to WTOL 11's sister station in St. Louis, Mo., an iPhone was stolen by someone impersonating a FedEx driver. Local police said their department and the FBI are investigating a potential leak of FedEx shipping data that has enabled thieves to target electronics deliveries.
“They’re buying that information and decoding it, then they know where the package is delivered, what time and things of that nature,” Perez added.
FedEx has not responded to requests for comment.
AT&T said there's no evidence of a breach in its system and sent the following statement to WTOL 11:
"We strive to make delivery as simple and frictionless as possible for our customers. For customers who prefer an in-store option, we offer AT&T store pickup. We require signatures in several markets where we have experienced theft issues. And we regularly make changes to our processes, whether it is type of delivery or even type of packaging, to reduce instances of these thefts. Parcel theft is a concern across many businesses, and it is something we take seriously. We work with law enforcement agencies and parcel carriers to protect our deliveries from these sophisticated criminals. We understand how frustrating and stressful these events can be for our customers. When these unfortunate events occur, we work as quickly as possible with the customer to make it right.”
Meanwhile, Toledo police are working to identify the suspect seen stealing Perez’s package.
To avoid further thefts, Perez plans to have packages delivered to her husband’s workplace.
“Christmastime is coming, so we’re going to have to lock everything up a lot better," she said.
ADT Security advises the following tips to prevent porch piracy:
- Get a "porch pirate bag," which is a large, securable bag you can instruct delivery drivers to place packages in
- Pay for a package receiving service
- Require delivery drivers to get a signature before dropping off a package
- Ask delivery drivers to put packages out of plain sight
- Request USPS packages to be held at your local post office for you to pick up or request packages be delivered to another safe location like a workplace
- Install a home security system, security camera and/or motion detector lights
- Get to know delivery drivers in your area and work with your neighbors to keep packages safe
- Upgrade your mailbox to be more secure
- Request "ship to store," which some delivery services offer