Crooks preying on holiday packages delivered to North Texas homes

More people are using the web to buy gifts this holiday season and crooks are preying on those boxes left unattended in front of homes.

According to a report, 23 million people will pay for a gift online but never get it.

Home surveillance video from Grand Prairie showed another thief's attempt to ruin the holiday. A man wearing a hoodie and orange sneakers walks up and scopes out who's watching, steps on the package, then walks off with the package.

Sal Lightbourne said the crime happened last Friday morning in Grand Prairie just after 11 a.m.

“He’s got to have something better to do, go to school, get a job,” Lightbourne said.

Shipping companies like FedEx have moves to help customers out.

“Couriers will attempt to leave them in inconspicuous places so they're not visible to someone passing by so there's not a package screaming out look at me come pick me up,” said Jacob Jones, FedEx Operations Manager.

They also offer customers options to protect their packages like requiring signatures, door knocks or rings. If you aren't home you can have your delivery taken to the nearest fed-ex office for safe-keeping.

Local police departments said that package thefts typically spike during the holiday season.