Online shoppers should be aware of “porch pirates”

Millions of shoppers clicked away on computers  and tapped on those smartphones today hoping to score big deals online for Cyber Monday.

Which now means thousands of packages are set for delivery in the coming weeks.

While you may be excited for your purchases to arrive, unfortunately you’re not the only one.

Law enforcement now warns beware of “porch pirates”.

Porch pirates stalk delivery trucks and steal packages right off the front steps when they know no one is home.

Sergeant Jeff Melvin from the Wicomico County Sheriffs Office tells 47 ABC they’ve had an issue in past years with this kind of activity.

He says the best ways to avoid porch pirates is to not have your purchases delivered to your residence.

You can just pick it up at the distribution center or change the address to a neighbors or your work place where you know someone will be there.

Sgt. Melvin adds, “Another way to do that is to sign up for text messages. Notifications that will notify you where your package is and once it’s delivered you can then make arrangements to go secure your package.”

He says if residents due happen to get their packages stolen to notify the sellers and then the local police department.