The United States Postal Inspection Service is urging residents to keep an eye out for people looking to steal their online deliveries.

Vincent Taddeo says he had a package stolen from him in September at his Bensonhurst home. He says he "couldn't believe" someone would steal his mail.

"It's frustrating because it's the holiday, the COVID is not helping," Taddeo says.

Donna Harris, of the USPIS, says the No. 1 thing people can do to prevent theft is not to leave packages unattended and to avoid having packages stack up.

"In a lot of cases with theft, people are opportunists and they drive through neighborhoods or walk through neighborhoods and see those packages," Harris says. "And if they see these packages, they then walk away with them."

She also suggests to have packages redirected if you won't be in town, to require a signature or to have it sent through registered mail.

Harris says those stealing packages face up to five years in prison and/or a fine.