Beware: Thieves using smartphones to steal your holiday packages

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Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Smarter package thieves
Police say package thieves are getting smarter and are using apps to track deliveries to your home.

Some enterprising thieves may have figured out how to get their hands on your hot holiday packages and all they need is their smartphones.

Here's how it works: A UPS driver leaves your package at your front porch. A short time later, a thief using a phone app arrives to pick up your package.

Authorities say the technology is allowing thieves to play the Grinch, timing their crimes perfectly.

A homeowner in Los Angeles recently captured surveillance video as someone backed up a U-Haul van into the driveway and snatch two boxes left only minutes before by UPS.

The thieves were captured a short time later.

UPS denies their technology is compromised, but says you should schedule deliveries for when you are home or have items shipped to your office.

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