Online retail spending is expected to reach new record this holiday season, going well past $250 billion.

Which will mean a lot of deliveries. With that in mind, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel urges consumers to take proactive steps to protect their packages from theft as part of her office’s ongoing Holiday Scams Campaign.

“Whether it’s a package or a piece of mail, unattended deliveries are easy targets for porch pirates,” Nessel said. “By planning ahead and taking security measures, you can make sure your well-deserved gifts and packages reach you safely while keeping thieves from stealing your holiday cheer.”

Stealing mail or packages is a serious offense. First-time offenders can face fines and up to one year in jail, while repeat offenders risk up to five years in prison under state and federal law.

If you believe a package has been stolen from your residence, you should first confirm it was actually delivered by reviewing the available tracking information. If you have a security camera and it captures packages being stolen from you or your neighbors, contact the local police department.

To safeguard against package theft, Nessel advises to —

— Use secure delivery options: Ship packages to a secure location, such as Amazon lockers, FedEx offices or the workplace if permitted.

— Improve visibility: Keep your porch well-lit and consider adding motion-sensing lighting.

— Create the illusion of presence: Even when not home, make it look like someone is present by leaving lights or music on.

— Invest in technology: Install a porch camera or motion detector that can alert you to activity and allow you to monitor deliveries in real time.

Consumers can also use the U.S. Postal Service’s free Informed Delivery tool, which provides digital previews of incoming mail and allows users to track packages, manage delivery instructions, and reschedule deliveries.

Mail and package theft is a leading cause of identity theft crimes as well. Consumers can reduce their risk by opting out of pre-approved credit offers, which thieves can use to apply for credit in someone else’s name. To opt out, go to the official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website or call 888-567-8688.