Making a few simple changes to your deliveries could stop you from being a victim of a break-in.
According to Online Spy Shop, a leading authority on surveillance and security, allowing delivery drivers to take proof-of-delivery photos could be putting your home at risk.
While these images are meant to confirm that a package has arrived safely, they can also reveal personal details that criminals can exploit.
Security experts warn that burglars and scammers are using delivery photos to gather information about homes, security set-ups, and even when residents are away.
A growing number of cases suggest that criminals are monitoring delivery photos and using them to target homes with valuable goods.
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Investigators have found that criminals have been able to access courier tracking systems and intercepted proof-of-delivery images, using them to target homes with valuable packages.
Online Spy Shop warns that thieves can obtain delivery photos in several ways including hacking courier tracking systems and posing as delivery drivers.
It is recommended that you request parcels to be delivered to a safe location. For example, you could opt for a parcel locker which you can pick the item up from instead of having it delivered to your home.
But, if you do opt to have the item delivered to your house, you should make sure to retrieve it as soon as possible.
A spokesperson from Online Spy Shop warned: "Most people don’t realise how much information a simple delivery photo can reveal.
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"Criminals are always looking for ways to identify weak points in home security, and these images can be an easy way for them to do just that.
"Requesting secure delivery locations or limiting the details visible in proof-of-delivery photos can go a long way in keeping your home safe."
With parcel theft and home break-ins on the rise, taking a few extra steps today could prevent you from becoming a target tomorrow.