You might be angry because somebody just called you to tell you that they did not receive the UPS package you sent them. Or you might have been the one expecting the package, and you feel like you got scammed. So, you would like to know what you could do to recover the costs of your missing package. What Happens When A UPS Package Is Stolen?, let’s find out.
When your UPS package is lost or stolen, the company allows you to file a complaint starting 24 hours after the expected delivery date. Then, UPS will trace your shipment. You would not get a refund if the package did not get lost while it was in the company’s custody.
What Happens When Your UPS Package Is Missing?
You should know that there is a huge difference between a lost UPS package and a stolen package. Evidence for the two cases is handled differently. A lost package is one that got missing in transit or before the delivery is confirmed. The company is responsible for the package in the situation because it was in the driver’s custody. Therefore, they are supposed to refund you when this happens.
However, if the driver completed the delivery, you will not be refunded. UPS usually provides tracking information for their packages to ensure that they reach the intended location. There is also a UPS InfoNotice that confirms the delivery and informs the recipient about the package’s location and where they can pick it up.
If there is no delivery notice, it means that your package did not arrive. If there is an InfoNotice but you don’t get the package, then your shipment was possibly stolen.
What to Do When You Have a Stolen/Missing Shipment?
1. Check for a UPS Delivery Notice
The first thing you should do is check for the UPS delivery notice. It is what tells you that the package has arrived. Suppose you have the delivery notice but not the package. In that case, you should first check with neighbours and other people at your address to be sure nobody else received it on your behalf. Some of these cases could be because of a misunderstanding. It’s important to know if the package was really stolen before contacting the sender or filing a claim.
Suppose the expected date arrives and you get no delivery notice at all. In that case, it means that something delayed your shipment for some reason, or the driver might have lost it in transit. You can then file a claim with UPS on their website.
2. Contact the Sender
Suppose nobody picked it up for you and there is no other indication about where to pick up the package. In that case, you can contact the company or the sender of the shipment to complain about your issue.
Then, the sender of the package can file a claim for a lost shipment with UPS on their website, and they will work with the sender and law enforcement to try to trace your shipment. As mentioned before, you have to wait until after 24 hours before filing a claim for a lost package.
UPS usually takes between 8 and 15 business days to process claims. You will need to provide all the necessary documentation—such as product descriptions and receipts—to support your claim and help the investigation. You will get updates from the sender about the progress of the investigation.
Suppose there is evidence that the driver completed the delivery. In that case, it means that your package was stolen, and UPS is not responsible for it. As mentioned before, there is no refund if this is the case.
3. Report to the Police
It is also important to report your case to law enforcement. Many people don’t bother to contact the police when they have a stolen shipment. Still, it can be crucial in helping locate the package. It will also help catch the person responsible for stealing your property, which is especially beneficial if it is a common occurrence in your area. You will help in saving other people as well.
If you have experienced porch piracy, you probably have a good idea of how frustrating it can be. However, reporting the case to the police can also help to push for more serious punishments for the crime. In addition, a police report helps you get a refund from the person you bought a package from, and it can also help get reimbursement from insurance companies.
Preventive Measures You Can Take
It seems unfair that you have to deal with the consequences of package theft on your own. This is why you need to take steps to prevent such a thing from repeating itself. There are some things you can do to prevent future cases of package theft.
- Installing surveillance devices at your address. You can set up CCTV cameras, doorbell cameras, and motion sensors in your house to provide security. You are less likely to have a theft case if the thief knows you can catch them on camera.
- You can also put up warnings to ward off potential thieves from entering your property.
- You can have your packages delivered to a safer location, maybe at a friend’s place.
- You can make your package require a signature before it is confirmed as delivered. This means that only you or a member of your household can receive the package.
- You can also add delivery instructions when making an order by telling the driver more secure places in your house where they can leave the package when you are not at home.
Conclusion
You can file a claim with UPS if you have a missing package. However, their refund policy doesn’t cover stolen packages. So, you are left to deal with the burden on your own. So, you need to take steps to prevent your packages from being stolen in the future.
FAQs
- How do I earn a refund from UPS for a stolen package?
UPS would not refund you if your package wasn’t lost while under their custody.
- What should I do when I don’t receive an expected package?
You are to wait for 24 hours after the delivery date. Then, you can file a claim with the company on the claims page of their website. Then, you are to provide all the necessary information and supporting documents to help them trace your shipment.
