Avoiding package theft during the holidays

UNDATED (AP) -- The holiday rush is on as people shop for that special Christmas gift for loved ones.

Many people choose to shop online and have their gifts delivered but not everyone is receiving their packages.

The videos are all over the internet, delivery people dropping off packages and then moments later, someone walks up and takes the box right off the front doorstep. Sometimes, the thieves are caught on home surveillance cameras.

Kim Westerbeck had more than $400 worth of clothing stolen that she'd ordered online. It was delivered but then, it disappeared. All of it captured on the security camera mounted by her front door.

Westerbeck filed a police report then posted the video online. But so far, no suspects.

Across the country during the holidays, some one billion packages will be delivered.

The U.S. Postal Service had more than 2,000 reported mail thefts last year.

As for Fed Ex, it says it has an "outstanding reliability record" and that it's up to law enforcement to investigate thefts.

UPS says package theft is "extremely rare". So low, the company says, it doesn't keep statistics.

But videos posted online seem to show it still happens with suspected thieves taking everything from adult clothing to a how-could-they-item, a child's bicycle, from right off someone's doorsteps.

To avoid package theft, many delivery companies also offer signature or delivery confirmation services for an additional fee.