Mail theft happens. Here are four easy mailing precautions you can take to decrease the chance of your outgoing packages getting stolen.
1. If you schedule free USPS pickup, put your shipments out of sight
Whenever you put packages outside, there’s a risk that the packages could be stolen. Putting shipments strategically out of view helps minimize the risk of theft. You can put packages behind a screen door (be sure to include a note like “packages are behind the screen door” when you request pickup online). If you’re only shipping out a few items you could place the shipments inside of your mailbox. Remember, the USPS is not liable for packages stolen form your doorstep or mailboxes.
2. Drop off items in blue mailboxes close to the pickup time
If you mail items in a blue mailbox, mail the items as close to the pickup time as possible. To paraphrase a supply chain management saying, “shipments at rest are shipments at risk.” In other words, packages are generally safest when they are moving rather than sitting in one place. Avoid mailing items the night before pickup. Choose mailboxes in high traffic and highly visible areas.
3. Always take high value items to the post office
If you’re purchasing third-party insurance for a high value item, read the fine print. Some third-party insurers require at least one tracking scan or a receipt from the post office as “proof of mailing”. So if you pop your insured package in the mailbox, it never gets scanned and your buyer doesn’t get the package, then you could lose both the value of the shipment AND whatever money you paid for the insurance. For piece of mind and proof of mailing, take high value packages into the post office and ask to have the package scanned at the counter.
4. THE SAFEST OPTION: Take the packages inside the post office
When in doubt, take packages inside the post office. Taking your packages to the counter or mailing the packages inside the post office is your safest, most secure option.
Resources:
Schedule a Pickup on USPS.com (on USPS.com)