HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – The holiday shopping season has begun. Officials warn online shoppers to have a plan to protect their packages from package thieves often called “Porch Pirates.”

Officials from Morgan County and Madison County want you to be aware of the risks associated with online shopping. Though it may be convenient to have holiday gifts delivered right to your door, you run the risk of package theft.

Brent Patterson from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office told me that this time of year they see a large increase in package theft.

“They sit in these neighborhoods and watch these delivery trucks and it’s a perfect opportunity for criminals you know it’s sad,” said Patterson.

Patterson says this is not just a problem in Huntsville but all over the United States.

Mike Swafford from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office says there are many ways to protect your packages.

“Plan ahead, to know where it is going to go what’s going to be there, be prepared when it is delivered, the third one is for all of us to pay attention to your neighborhood your streets, your community,” said Swafford. “These people don’t just come to one house they hang around in the neighborhood. So those that notice this activity can notify us and we can prevent it.”

Both recommend having someone take in your packages for you if they are delivered when you are away from home or having packages delivered to your office or a P.O. Box so that someone is there to receive the package. doorbell and They both rave about doorbell cameras.