The good news is you can avoid the hustle and bustle (i.e. hassle) of holiday shopping in stores by conveniently ordering your gifts online. When your gifts are shipped straight to your home, you can save yourself time and energy. In this busy time of year, that's key. The bad news is that by shopping online and having gifts shipped, you open yourself up to two risks: package theft and ID fraud. Avoid these issues with this guide.
Beat Porch Pirates
Porch pirating is the name for the theft of a package delivered to your home before you have the opportunity to bring it inside. It's unfortunately common and relatively easy for the thief. They just follow delivery trucks during work hours, when most people aren't home. Defend against porch pirating by coordinating to have your packages delivered when you home or having them shipped to a friend, family member, or your workplace. Some delivery companies will also have nearby pickup locations where your package can safely be held.
Outdo Identity Thieves
When shopping online, you send your payment information out. Theoretically, that's going to the vendor - but make sure you don't get scammed! Make sure you have an HTTP Secure URL (look for web addresses that start with https://) before you input your information so you can be sure your connection is encrypted. Also, be wary of retailers with whom you aren't familiar.
As you protect yourself from package theft and identity theft, we can protect your family and your business. For more information about how we can leverage our insurance policies to help you protect what matters most, contact Little & Sons Insurance Services, serving Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, Redlands, and the nearby California cities.
