How to protect your packages against porch pirates this season

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Almost everyone is receiving packages from friends and family this time of year. You maybe even be sending out a few yourself.

But when you're not home when the package arrives, it could be at risk of porch pirates.

Porch pirates are essentially thieves that steal packages right off your property.

Lombardo Homes conducted a study that reports Wyoming is 6th in the nation for package theft hot spot. Idaho ranks 27th in the nation.

They say it is important to be proactive and take precautionary steps to ensure your packages arrive to their destination.

But how? Well, Maria Pearlman with Lombardo Homes said, "Without a doubt, you should definitely be tracking the delivery process, whether that's online, and making sure that when you get that information from the company, you know that there's no error and that you do have access to that tracking code. If you have the option to sign up for delivery alerts, that's a great way to have that up to date, you know, package; Sent packages, delivered package, you know, whatever it might be, right to your phone."

Pearlman also suggests having a doorbell camera with alerts enabled, that way you can find out who is coming to and from your property. That camera will also increase your chances of catching the porch pirate and can result in pressing charges against them.