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How To Prevent Package Burglary (& What To Do If It Happens To You)

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 07 August 2019 06:07
How To Prevent Package Burglary (& What To Do If It Happens To You)

More than 30% of people say they’ve had at least one package stolen from their porch — With more people shopping online (including Amazon), here are four tips on how to prevent package theft.

Set Up Tracking Notifications - Once your order ships, most suppliers will provide you with a tracking code through the carrier to find out the status of its estimated delivery. FedEx, UPS or USPS all allow you to get an email or text notifications to stay up to date on the latest details. Ideally, you can time it so that you are home on the anticipated delivery date. However, delays and schedules are uncontrollable. So if you aren’t home, ask a neighbor to keep an eye out for you. If it’s something of value, see if you can set it up so a signature is required. And, if possible, include detailed instructions for where to leave the package (perhaps there’s a good hiding spot behind a shrub or on the back porch). 


Get A Security System, Camera Or Smart Doorbell - Having an outdoor security camera or doorbell with a video camera not only helps you keep an eye on your front door, but it may also allow you to communicate with the delivery person (or potential thief). The camera also acts as a deterrent, sending a message that anyone who trespasses is under watch. If someone steals a package, then you’ll also have video footage you can share with the police or use to alert neighbors to be on the lookout for them. We set up an Arlo at our condo building, which is a weather-resistant, wireless camera that starts recording when it detects motion in a set “zone” (i.e., our front porch). That way, random squirrels or cars passing by won’t set it off. It also has a built-in alarm you can enable as an additional security measure to scare burglars away.

Use Amazon Key - If you shop a lot on Amazon, Amazon Key is a service that allows Amazon Prime customers to install an electronic door lock that delivery people can use to drop packages inside your home. This smart lock syncs with the Amazon Cloud Cam’s indoor security camera that sends footage of the delivery to the customer. Once you sync your home WiFi with your Amazon account, you’ll have the option to select “free home delivery” upon checkout which gives carriers the ability to remotely access your home and place your orders safely inside your home. On each delivery day, Amazon will notify you four hours prior to delivery that the package is en route. Amazon then alerts you when the carrier arrives, and you can either watch a live stream or view a recorded clip. You will also be notified when the delivery person exits your home.

Put Up Signs & Be On The Lookout - If you have a security system, put the yard sign out that comes with it (or if you don’t have a yard, they usually include a sticker you can put in the window instead). In addition to the security camera you installed, this shows that you are serious about security. You might even go through the additional steps needed to request a neighborhood watch sign on your street. Check with your city or Homeowners’ Association to find out if this is an option and how to go about getting one added as an extra layer of protection for everyone on your street. You can also talk to your neighbors about starting a patrol system where you have someone designated to be on “duty” outside watching the streets during peak times of day when most packages are delivered. 

If you do have bad luck and suspect a package is in the wrong hands, there are a few things you can try to get your items back and ensure it doesn’t happen again. 

1. First off, make sure the package was really delivered (don’t just assume it was stolen). Look up the tracking info and make sure the delivery address was correct. 
2. Once you are fairly certain it’s package theft, call the police to report the approximate time and day of the incident (or time frame from when it was delivered to when it went missing). 
3. If you have camera footage, share it with the authorities to help identify the person and ask them to be on the lookout for the missing item. You can also post the footage in online communities like a Facebook Group for your area or Nextdoor to help spread the word. 
4. Even if you don’t have video footage, it is still a good idea to share what you can with neighbors.
5. Check nearby trash bins for evidence of the box or packaging that could have been tossed away. 
6. Contact the seller and see if they can send a replacement. It’s not guaranteed, but larger retailers are usually understanding and can afford to give you a new one at no cost. This time, be sure to see if they offer signature required shipping or consider delivery to a more secure location like a UPS Store or your office. 

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Sadie Cornelius

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