New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a consumer alert addressing the rise in package theft, particularly during the holiday season. The alert aims to provide New Yorkers with strategies to protect themselves from "porch pirates," individuals who steal packages from residential areas.

"Package and mail theft can be heartbreaking and put New Yorkers' personal and financial information at risk," stated Attorney General James. She emphasized the importance of vigilance during this period when package theft tends to increase. "As package theft spikes during the holiday season, every New Yorker should know how to keep their deliveries and personal information safe from thieves. I urge everyone to remain vigilant, and protect themselves and their mail by following our important tips."

Attorney General James offered several recommendations for preventing package theft:

- Promptly retrieve delivered mail instead of leaving it overnight. If expecting sensitive items like checks or credit cards, arrange for a trusted person to collect them if you are unavailable.

- Enroll in tracking alerts such as USPS' Informed Delivery service for notifications on incoming packages. Ensure that any URLs used for signing up are legitimate to avoid scams.

- If unable to receive a package personally, consider delivery options like USPS Smart Locker or Hold Mail Service for secure storage until retrieval.

- Install doorbell cameras or video surveillance systems as deterrents or aids in identifying thieves.

- For mailing important items, request signature confirmation or use the Hold for Pickup option at local post offices.

In cases of suspected mail theft, individuals are advised to contact police immediately and report incidents to Postal Inspectors at (877)-876-2455.