"Delivered" (but not actually stolen) USPS packages...

djkunai

djkunai

Banned
UPDATE:

Okay, so apparently USPS marked off my packages as delivered even though they never dropped them off. Why? Apparently our dog (small) somehow got out and was wondering the front yard, so the mail guys decided to not drop off our mail for over a week and a half, but still checked it as delivered. Anyways, I got all my CAG packages, birthday cards, and gaming magazines back. Still wondering where my Samurai Champloo set is though, but that was through UPS...


END UPDATE


I've had (at least) three packages stolen from my porch in the past week.

I was out of town, so my family was only able to bring them in at 6:30 or so in the evening. According to Delivery Confirmation, one was dropped off 1/10 in the morning, one should have arrived Friday (no DC), and I'm waiting for another CAG to PM me the DC number on the third package to see when that was supposed to get here.

What can I file? Anything? Or am I screwed since there was no insurance on anything?

I'm also expecting two more packages soon (one from Wal-Mart, another from a CAG) and was wondering what I can do in terms of waiting to see if someone tries to steal another package and catch them red handed / recorded on tape? I know mail tampering is a felony, can I wait to see if they take something off my porch, tape them in the act, and then rush after them as they leave? I'm really fast (seriously, hardcore DDR fast), so could I get them on tape taking my package and then tackle them to the ground if necessary?

Any and all help is profusely appreciated!
 
That sounds like a major problem. A temporary fix would be to have any CAGs your trading with add signature confirmation to each package, I think its like $1.50 or so. That way, the Post Office will hold onto the package if you aren't present at delivery and you can pick it up yourself. As far as taking further action, I have no idea. Can't say I've ever had people steal things from my porch.
 
Get a PO Box.

What are you going to do if you catch someone in the act? Chase them down? Unless its some 12 year old punk from your block, are you going to risk chasing someone down?

I would guess that its someone who knows you get video games in the mail. Stealing random packages repeatedly doesn't make a lot of sense. Look to people you know and see who has recently "acquired" the items you had stolen.

Last bit of advice, get a PO Box. Nobody will steal your crap then. Our box is $24/year and we never get mail stolen.

TBW
 
[quote name='TheBlueWizard']Get a PO Box.

What are you going to do if you catch someone in the act? Chase them down? Unless its some 12 year old punk from your block, are you going to risk chasing someone down?

I would guess that its someone who knows you get video games in the mail. Stealing random packages repeatedly doesn't make a lot of sense. Look to people you know and see who has recently "acquired" the items you had stolen.

Last bit of advice, get a PO Box. Nobody will steal your crap then. Our box is $24/year and we never get mail stolen.

TBW[/quote]

I had no idea it was that cheap. What happens if you get something too big to fit into a box, does USPS hold on to it for free?
 
[quote name='TheBlueWizard']
I would guess that its someone who knows you get video games in the mail. Stealing random packages repeatedly doesn't make a lot of sense. Look to people you know and see who has recently "acquired" the items you had stolen.
[/QUOTE]

Or it's someone who stole a package once, and said "Wow, this dude got a video game, let's steal more of his packages!!".
 
[quote name='Kendro']I had no idea it was that cheap. What happens if you get something too big to fit into a box, does USPS hold on to it for free?[/QUOTE]

Dont they just leave a slip to let you know something is there for you and was too big to fit?
 
[quote name='Kendro']I had no idea it was that cheap. What happens if you get something too big to fit into a box, does USPS hold on to it for free?[/QUOTE]


You get a yellow card in your box that says the item is too large to fit into the box. You hand the card to the clerk and they'll get you the item. It's included in the cost of a P.O. Box rental.
 
Really want to find out whats going on?

1: buy a GPS tracker(cost around $100)
2: ship the activated GPS tracker in a midsize box to your house
3: watch and wait for said box to be stolen.
4: alert you local law enforcement as stealing mail is a federal crime.
4a: Take the law into your hands.
 
[quote name='Michaellvortega']Really want to find out whats going on?

1: buy a GPS tracker(cost around $100)
2: ship the activated GPS tracker in a midsize box to your house
3: watch and wait for said box to be stolen.
4: alert you local law enforcement as stealing mail is a federal crime.
4a: Take the law into your hands.[/quote]

:applause:
 
You could also buy a bunch of gay porn and let the thieves think that you're gay. That way, they'll steal anything from you again.
 
[quote name='Vinny']You could also buy a bunch of gay porn and let the thieves think that you're gay. That way, they'll steal anything from you again.[/quote]

win
 
How about an mean attack dog to guard your mailbox? That way the mailman doesn't give you your mail. You could grab everything at the post office later.
 
[quote name='hero101']How about an mean attack dog to guard your mailbox? That way the mailman doesn't give you your mail. You could grab everything at the post office later.[/QUOTE]

He doesn't even have to be mean, just big and loud.

No, really- we got our mail service cut off for a week becuase our mastiff/lab mix got into the yard and barked at the mailman. We eventually convinced them he wasn't trying to attack, he's just that mind of a dog, and we got our service restored with a warning that if it happened again, we'd be cut off permanently.

(Although ,we haven't seen that mailman for awhile... we think he got moved to a different route. There are a lot of dogs on our street, I'm sure weren't the only ones who had to go complain about not getting delivery.)
 
Getting a PO Box is the best idea - but if you want to collect actual evidence of somebody stealing your packages, get one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-Wirel...r_6/002-0127438-4238448?ie=UTF8&s=electronics
(Linksys Wireless-G Internet Video Camera)

Buy the camera at a local store - so the camera itself doesn't get stolen in the mail. Then, send yourself some packages with non-valueable goods. Make the return address something really obvious that something valueable is inside like "GAC Electronics" but with a bogus address. Set the camera to record, and wait for it to get stolen. Give the video to the police. Finally, post the video on CAG.
 
I have a question and then a suggestion. So Ill start with the question, lets say he decided to order said cameras from Amazon wouldn't they, ironicly, just be stolen?

Now with the suggestion. Go down to your local appliance store and ask for a box that they got a huge ass TV or fridge in. Next place the box in the location that your packages are being stolen at. Now grab a weapon, I suggest a gun or a club with a nail in it, and climb in the box and have someone seal it shut. Then all you have to do is wait. When the person comes to steal your mail and begins to carry you away to his house of crime dont make a move just let him take you. When he gets home and opens the box blow him away/ hit him with a blunt object. Next search through his home for your missing stuff and feel free to steal his mail on the way out.

/Just one mans suggestion
//I would probably just contact the police and tell them that this has been happening for awhile.

EDIT: Ah I see that it was already suggested not to order the cameras online, my mistake.
 
I'm no expert on your states law but I did graduate college for Criminal Justice-Cyber Crime last year.

You can tape these individuals or individual stealing mail from your property without any problems. The next step would be after they are on tape to turn it over to the local police/file a report. Then you should contact the U.S. Postal Inspectors in your area since it is a mail related offense. It is up to the police and the inspectors to investigate any theft of property.

They will ask for the tape as evidence which may or may not be used in court. It's up to law enforcement to decide which charges will be pressed since each case can have multiple charges filed based on state and federal law.

Theft of mail or the use of mail in any criminal activity is a federal offence which supercedes state law.

Do not attempt to apprehend any individual as you will open yourself to possible criminal charges or civil action. The only people that do apprehension are sworn law enforcement officers since there are many constitutional issues with the act of arresting someone.

In short just get a P.O. box or have someone sign for packages.
 
[quote name='E_G_Man']I have a question and then a suggestion. So Ill start with the question, lets say he decided to order said cameras from Amazon wouldn't they, ironicly, just be stolen?

Now with the suggestion. Go down to your local appliance store and ask for a box that they got a huge ass TV or fridge in. Next place the box in the location that your packages are being stolen at. Now grab a weapon, I suggest a gun or a club with a nail in it, and climb in the box and have someone seal it shut. Then all you have to do is wait. When the person comes to steal your mail and begins to carry you away to his house of crime dont make a move just let him take you. When he gets home and opens the box blow him away/ hit him with a blunt object. Next search through his home for your missing stuff and feel free to steal his mail on the way out.

/Just one mans suggestion
//I would probably just contact the police and tell them that this has been happening for awhile.

EDIT: Ah I see that it was already suggested not to order the cameras online, my mistake.[/quote]

I like this suggestion.
 
[quote name='Michaellvortega']Really want to find out whats going on?

1: buy a GPS tracker(cost around $100)
2: ship the activated GPS tracker in a midsize box to your house
3: watch and wait for said box to be stolen.
4: alert you local law enforcement as stealing mail is a federal crime.
4a: Take the law into your hands.[/QUOTE]
Tell me you have personal experience with this.
 
Personally I would stage a stake out with somebody watching threw a Camera in your ligth fixture if you have one.

You could sneak the freeloader in your house and have them stake out and then send big packages to your house with nothing in them.

Also how could somebody just steal your stuff like that?

They would have to know when and where everybody is when there is nobody in the house. Could it be a Neighbor or even pedestrian.

Also I have heard the police use a spray to light up the area. Maybe the person left finger prints or footsteps that is diffrent from your household.

What about the mail person how well do you know them.
 
And this is why I have all my packages held at the post office until I pick them up. I'm pretty sure you can request all items that dont fit in your mailbox to be held at the post office

Dave
 
I'd go with MightySlacker's suggestion. But if you can do it cheaply, the dummy package/camera thing might be good if you really want to know who's doing it. For all you know, it could be a neighbor or someone else you'd recognize.
 
I came up with another great suggestion!!!!! Get a box, fill it with your prefered stinging insect of choice (wasps, bees, hornets), seal the box, shake the box and leave it outside. This is a fool proof plan, nothing can go wrong......

/Thank you discovery channel! (and cartoons, and alcohol.....)
 
[quote name='E_G_Man']I came up with another great suggestion!!!!! Get a box, fill it with your prefered stinging insect of choice (wasps, bees, hornets), seal the box, shake the box and leave it outside. This is a fool proof plan, nothing can go wrong......

/Thank you discovery channel! (and cartoons, and alcohol.....)[/quote]
Winner!
 
I'd go with the having a dummy package sent to you, and having a camera set up to record it.

You can always buy a camera at Best Buy or something, and return it when you're done. :D
 
If your sender will send UPS or FedEx, have the packages "held" at the station and pick up at your convenience.

Or have all packages sent with Signature required (ALL carriers have this with an extra fee)

Or have all packages sent to your place of employment c/o.

The only issue with a PO box is that UPS and FedEx cannot deliver to a PO box, so a shipper that uses them exclusively will be an issue.

Good Luck!

P.S. In the meantime, I would put a very visible note on my door to all Delivery companies stating you have recently had packages stolen and to not leave them if no one is home. On the note ask them to take them back to the station for "hold" and leave you a note to go pick up.
 
i used to have items stolen from me at my place.

packaged maked with dell are a great indicator for thieves.

so, i just have everything shipped to work.
 
In all likelyhood, its one person doing it. First thing that came to mind was the video camera idea. Catch the theif on film, you probably will recognise him (as its probably a neighbor). Turn him in, and problem solved.
 
Get a PO Box or get items mailed to your job if they allow it. In this day and age I wouldn't trust anything of importance to be delivered to my house if I wasn't there. Not doing that is the equivalent of leaving your car and house unlocked.
 
Get a UPS box. That way, all mail will arrive regardless of sender's option. Only costs a little more than the USPS.

Personal note: Don't trade with the OP
 
I know something that nobody said yet. Have you tried asking the people in your block if they have seen anything suspicious.

My place has a Neighboorhood watch with Group leaders and when anything occurs it is there job to let people know about it.

Maybe you can organize something like that.

The motto could be "anything suspicious report immediately"

If not the least you can do hand out flyers stating how your mail was stolen.
 
As a side note... you actually have reported these packages as not being delivered to the Post Office & who you bought it from, right? It might not be a matter of theft at all. This happened recently with my BF and a couple of boxes- they'd be marked as delivered, he'd question and question the Post offce and the mail carrier (who, both times, wasn't even carrying a package that day.)

Turned out there's another home in town with a similar address to his (the same except one's a 'St.' and one's a 'Ave.'). They were sending his boxes to the wrong house, which returned them as being wrong, then shipped 'em all the way back to the original sender. He got his stuff re-shipped with Signature Confirm, and it came just fine the second time.
 
Get one of those ink cartridges like banks use and rig it to explode ink all over the person when they open the dummy package. Then all you have to do is look for someone in your neighborhood with a blue face.

Or leave a box on your porch with a dead animal or feces. Put it in some packing peanuts so they have to dig around with their hand to find it. That would make for a nice surprise.
 
kunai-grand.jpg
in the back
 
Or mix some ideas together. You could ship yourself a large attack dog. The thief will see a large package, think it's something awesome and SURPRISE!

Or snakes. Snakes on a Porch!
 
[quote name='donut']If your sender will send UPS or FedEx, have the packages "held" at the station and pick up at your convenience.

[/quote]

How is going to the post office and having to wait on the long ass line with a bunch of assholes convenient? If I wanted to drive somewhere I'd drive to the store and buy my shit there. Part of the convenience of ordering online is to have items delivered literally to your doorstep while you're too busy to go out and get them.

Whoever is stealing your packages needs to be caught and dealt with - get evidence of it happening and it should end.

Or, if nobody is ever shown on video stealing anything, it could be somebody at the post office either stealing, losing your packages, or misdirecting them as somebody else has pointed out.
 
[quote name='iamthekiller']How is going to the post office and having to wait on the long ass line with a bunch of assholes convenient? If I wanted to drive somewhere I'd drive to the store and buy my shit there. Part of the convenience of ordering online is to have items delivered literally to your doorstep while you're too busy to go out and get them.

Whoever is stealing your packages needs to be caught and dealt with - get evidence of it happening and it should end.

Or, if nobody is ever shown on video stealing anything, it could be somebody at the post office either stealing, losing your packages, or misdirecting them as somebody else has pointed out.[/quote]

Pay attention. I make no mention of USPS and have never been in a Long U P S or F e d E x line...it's just a FREE option until the theif stops or is caught WITHOUT commiting to a PO Box for a year.
 
[quote name='hero101']How about an mean attack dog to guard your mailbox? That way the mailman doesn't give you your mail. You could grab everything at the post office later.[/quote]

Great Idea. I have two Great Danes that guard my house. Unlike most danes, mine have a healthy dislike for strangers. I have never locked my doors and I couldn't even tell you where my house keys are. I'd pity anyone foolish enough to mess with my 330lbs of dog.
 
[quote name='iamthekiller']Getting a PO Box is the best idea - but if you want to collect actual evidence of somebody stealing your packages, get one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-Wireless-G-Internet-Video-Camera/dp/B0002V8KW2/sr=8-6/qid=1168753143/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6/002-0127438-4238448?ie=UTF8&s=electronics
(Linksys Wireless-G Internet Video Camera)

Buy the camera at a local store - so the camera itself doesn't get stolen in the mail. Then, send yourself some packages with non-valueable goods. Make the return address something really obvious that something valueable is inside like "GAC Electronics" but with a bogus address. Set the camera to record, and wait for it to get stolen. Give the video to the police. Finally, post the video on CAG.[/quote]

I've done this with a cheap $5 webcam to bust my neighbors blowing the stop sign (school bus stop too) in front of my house @ 30-40mph.
 
Would the GPS thing even hold up in a court of law? How could you successfully prosecute them without the police involved in the 'set-up'? Wouldn't the equivocating, greasy attorney for the defendant(s) spin it as some form of entrapment?

I always wonder about a theft victim taking matters into their own hands being the one getting penalized, falling under the "the ref always catches the retaliation punch" mentality...however flawed I think that may be.
 
[quote name='donut']Pay attention. I make no mention of USPS and have never been in a Long U P S or F e d E x line...it's just a FREE option until the theif stops or is caught WITHOUT commiting to a PO Box for a year.[/quote]
Thanks for the red font - that really caught my eye. Maybe you should have mentioned USPS because well, the OP likely orders items that are shipped through USPS.

..but driving to pick up something you ordered online is a waste of gas money and your time, unless of course your time is worthless - you only have to worry about wasting gas. As far as you not running into a long line, those of us that don't live in the sticks do run into long lines.
 
In all seriousness, Just have a package sent to you and track it so that when it is in transit you or someone you pay watches the truck roll up drop it off. Until this person(s) is caught you will never have the peace of mind that things can be safely delivered to your house. Whether you want to bring cameras or GPS tracking into the mix is all your choice but ignoring the problem by not catching the person leaves you open as a victim. If they know your not home to receive packages, who's to say they wont eventually break in and steal from inside your house.
 
I don't really talk with the neighbors- the neighbors to the right are our landlords, and they're old family friends, so that's fine. To the left is a family with nobody who seems suspicious.

The only people I could think of would be across the street (a bunch of hoodlum teenagers in that house) or possibly the latino gardeners for the house on the left.

One package was delivered on 1/9 at about 10am, and the other on 10/10 at about 10am, the third I'm not sure yet since there was no DC (it was a birthday package from my grandma :(). Either way, I'm going to be ready with a camera on Tuesday waiting for someone to try and swipe the two packages I'm expecting. I have curtains that are see through during the day to outside, so I can get a clear enough shot of them, and then once they even touch the package (that's tampering, since they don't live here) I'll pull back the curtains for a completely clear shot through the window.

Justice for me.
 
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