It’s Black Friday this week, and thousands of Aussies will be snapping up some pre-Christmas bargains. But with many opting to shop online rather than in-store, the big sales don’t just attract bargain-hunters.
One logistics company has a timely warning for online shoppers: beware the parcel thieves.
The pandemic rapidly changed the way we shop, and even though restrictions have long since ceased, online shopping levels have remained high.
During lockdowns, people were working from home and able to receive parcel deliveries. But as we increasingly move back to the office, parcels are being left unattended – an open invitation to parcel thieves.
Mal Siriwardhane, CEO of B Dynamic Logistics, told The New Daily that parcel thieves were getting smarter, often observing a house and its deliveries for weeks before striking.
“Shopper behaviour has been changing as well,” he said.
“We’ve seen households have been purchasing every two to three weeks, so it’s very consistent.
“Someone could potentially notice a parcel every week or every other week at the front door being unattended … so that’s the kind of pattern now we’ve seen and that’s obviously driving the high rate of theft.”
What can you do to prevent parcel theft?
While it’s not possible to stop all parcel thefts, there are steps you can take to make it less likely.
Make sure you’re using parcel tracking. Australia Post and all major delivery companies will send you tracking information via email or SMS telling you when to expect a delivery.
If you’re really worried, home security systems have come a long way in recent years. Inexpensive doorbell cameras are commonplace and could be invaluable in deterring parcel thieves in your area.
Australia Post recently announced changes to its parcel delivery model that will hopefully result in less thefts. If you’re not home when your postie tries to deliver, your package may be stored in a free and secure parcel locker near your home until you can pick it up.
This is similar to how deliveries have always worked, but for some you can collect your parcel at any time you like, 24/7, instead of having to attend a post office during working hours.
Will you be ordering a lot this Black Friday? Have you ever had a parcel stolen? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: How much can you really trust online reviews?
I’ve been getting a few deliveries lately and last week brought in a parcel from my letterbox.
When I opened it later I found it was a bra which I hadn’t ordered and on turning over the package, the small printed label showed it was for next door.
She was so happy to get it as she had been expecting it and had gone to the post office to inquire.
She had been shown a picture from the courier of her letterbox although the parcel was not shown.
One of my daughters who has deliveries where she works said that couriers sometimes use Google photos when asked where they have left a parcel and she calls them out.