The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents that porch pirating is on the increase in Limestone County, especially this time of the year.

Porch pirates are thieves who steal delivered packages from your porch or doorstep.

“More people are having packages delivered to their houses, and thieves know this,” said Deputy Stephen Young, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office.

Last holiday season, 26 million Americans, or 8 percent, reported having a package snatched from their front porch or doorstep, according to a 2017 survey from InsuranceQuotes.com.

To prevent package thieves from swiping the merry from your Merry Christmas, Young said online shoppers should take the following steps:

• Sign up for delivery notifications from the online retailer. Oftentimes, the retailer will automatically include this feature when a purchase is made, but be sure to check;

• Arrange for your package to be delivered to your workplace;

• Have packages delivered to an alternate location if you plan to be away, such as a trusted neighbor or family member;

• Require a signature for delivery;

• Ask the delivery service to hold your package at its distribution center and pick it up yourself if you have to be away;

• Plan ahead by requesting package tracking numbers and check for the expected delivery time and date;

• Install security video devices that have motion-activation and night-vision capabilities. This acts as a deterrent and helps law enforcement track down a thief after the fact;

• Be a good neighbor by reporting suspicious behavior.

Young said people should use common sense and watch for anything out of the ordinary this time of year.

“If you see an unfamiliar vehicle or see people cutting across yards or looking around, it never hurts to call law enforcement and let them know,” he said. In the county, call the Sheriff’s Office at 256-232-0111. In the city, call Athens Police Department at 256-233-8700.

Before you call, obtain a general description of the suspect, including sex, race, height, weight and clothing. If a vehicle is involved, get the make, model, color and tag number, if possible.