Tips to Prevent Your Packages From Being Stolen (Porch Pirates!)

The most important thing you can do to prevent theft is to collect your package as soon as possible.

• Install a security or doorbell camera with motion detection. You’ll be notified when someone delivers your package. The camera might also discourage theft.
• Take advantage of any delivery notification options offered by delivery services so you’ll receive a text or email when your package is on the way and when it’s delivered. You can sign up with USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
  • USPS Informed Delivery offers various package notification options including a text or email when the package is delivered.
  • UPS My Choice offers delivery alerts, proof of delivery photos, estimated delivery time, and the ability to specify where at your home to leave packages or to leave packages with a neighbor. For an extra fee you can have UPS deliver your packages on another day, to another address or to a UPS Access Point location.
  • FedEx Delivery Manager offers delivery notifications (via email, text, phone, and mobile app) including picture proof of delivery or delivery attempt. It can tell you when your package will arrive and you can even watch your package’s movements on a map! FedEx Delivery Manager allows you to specify where you want packages delivered, such as at a side door. You can also request to redirect a package for free when you won’t be home. It can be sent to one of thousands of retail pickup locations. Or you can request a Vacation Hold. For an extra fee you can schedule your delivery time, request to deliver to another residential location, and request to deliver another day.
• Hide your package delivery location from the street by planting bushes of sufficient height in front of your door to block the view.
• Put a sign by your front door requesting that the delivery person ring your bell on delivery.
• Consider in-garage/in-home delivery options from Amazon (Amazon Key) and Walmart (Walmart+ InHome)
• Require a signature. Sometimes you can request that a signature be required for delivery. This could be inconvenient for most package deliveries, but it could make sense for an expensive or important item.
• Buy a package delivery box. These secure boxes seem like a great idea. The problem is that delivery people will rarely use them. (Maybe a sign would help?) Perhaps someday it will be easier to instruct delivery services to use them. If you want to try one, here are a few options: Step2 Express Package Delivery Box, Cosco Outdoor Living BoxGuard, Keter Delivery Box, Adoorn Package Box, Danby Parcel Guard,

Other Options to Avoid Porch Pirates

• Send your order to secure location (such as Amazon Locker) or pick up your item at the store if a physical location is nearby.
• If nobody will be home, ask if you’re allowed to have packages delivered to your workplace and ship it there instead.

What to do if your package is stolen

• First confirm that the package was delivered and it wasn’t taken by a family member or neighbor. Check your doorbell or security camera footage if you have one.
• Contact the retailer. Some will help you, some won’t.
• If the retailer won’t help, try contacting the shipping company.
• Your credit card benefits might offer purchase protection that covers stolen items. If not call your credit card company and ask about requesting a chargeback.
• For very expensive items your homeowners or renters insurance policy might help. However, the value of the item would need to be more than your deductible. Also, consider calling the police – especially if you have good camera footage of the thief.

Further Reading

Consumer Reports: How to Make Sure Your Packages Don’t Get Stolen