Technology Can Help In Fight Against Holiday Package Thieves

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- If you're like most people this holiday season, you're doing more shopping online. But there is one pitfall you may not be aware of: Grinches are stealing packages right off your doorstep.

However, there is technology that can help protect your gifts, CBS2's Brian Conybeare reported.

Wendi Black Strier described a 2011 holiday grinch caught on surveillance video stealing presents from her front porch in Edgemont section of Greenburgh.

"He came along, peeked in my window, saw no one was here, picked up the packages and walked away," she said. "Got back in his car and drove off with children's Xbox holiday gift."

And her family isn't the only one. A new study from insuranceQuotes.com reports 23 million Americans have had the same thing happen to them.

"We expect it, unfortunately," said Greenburgh police Chief Chris McNerney. "It's that time of year."

McNerney said he knows how common this crime is now with more people avoiding the crowds and shopping online.

"It can ruin a family's holidays by not having presents there to open up," he said.

He recommends installing surveillance cameras. And experts say other technology can protect your holiday packages, too.

• Use tracking apps that send you texts or email alerts about your packages' location and status
• Sign up for automatic delivery notification services
• Require a signature to accept your packages
• Designate an alternate address, like a friend's house, your work or the shipping company's nearest store
• Pay an extra fee to schedule deliveries during a specific two-hour timeframe.

Police say some of the thieves actually follow delivery vans around the neighborhoods and grab the gifts before residents even know they've arrived.