BE AWARE OF SCAMS THAT INSURE FOR LOSS OF STOLEN PACKAGES
Online ordering and door-to-door delivery are common modern-day holiday shopping conveniences. However, many shoppers have unfortunately discovered that those packages sometimes become easy prey for “porch pirates.”
Consumers in Connecticut also need to be aware of another risk: package protection scams. Fraudulent individuals and companies may try to sell you “package protection coverage” for lost, stolen, or damaged packages. These companies, which are not licensed or authorized to sell insurance products, may market these products as warranties, guarantees, or protection plans.
Unlicensed companies have no regulatory oversight to ensure they pay for lost or stolen items. the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) may not be able to help if the company or individual is not licensed by the CID to sell legitimate insurance.
Here’s how you can protect yourself from these scams:
- When you place an order online, carefully review the shipping protection options and who is offering them.
- Before you buy a policy to cover porch piracy, make sure the company selling the protection plan is licensed by contacting the Connecticut Insurance Department at insurance@ct.gov or calling the Consumer Helpline at 800-203-3447 or 860-297-3900.
- You can also find out on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Consumer Insurance Search page.
How to reduce your risk of package theft:
- Require a signature for deliveries. This ensures that you or someone else in your home is present to receive the package, reducing the risk of it being left unattended.
- Use home security cameras. Cameras can deter would-be thieves from targeting your property, increase the likelihood of recovering stolen packages, and assist law enforcement in identifying thieves should your package be stolen.
- Ship your package to the store. Many retailers offer the option to ship online orders to a local store for you to pick up. This allows you to collect packages at your convenience and eliminates the risk of your package being left unattended at your home.
- Utilize a package lockbox. These secure boxes are placed at your door or porch and require a key or code to open. This ensures your package is left safely at your home while preventing access by porch pirates.
- Check with local or state police for tips on protecting your packages.