As online shopping only continues to become more and more commonplace for its convenience and savings, the problem of “porch pirates” has grown along with it. Since many people aren’t home when deliveries are going out, it’s extremely easy for an unattended package on a doorstep to get swiped. However, with many people opting to shop online instead of going to brick-and-mortar locations for safety purposes, it’s timelier than ever to put in place preventative measures to keep important deliveries from getting stolen. Here are several ways, both free and not-so-much, you can protect your packages.
No-Cost Methods
- Schedule packages to arrive when you’re at home. The simplest way to do this is to try to submit orders so they arrive on days you know you’ll be home, but it’s difficult to predict.
- Send packages to your workplace. If you’re not at home, you’ll most likely be at work to receive it.
- Delivery instructions. When checking out, you can add delivery instructions to hide packages behind things like a bench or place it at a side door that’s less noticeable.
- Require a signature. Wherever you’re ordering from might allow you to require that the package have a signature. This keeps it from sitting out on your doorstep unattended.
- Use your neighbor. If you have a good relationship with your neighbor and know they’re at home more than you, they can hold your packages until you can pick them up.
Spend to Save
- Get BoxLock. BoxLock is a smart padlock that unlocks when a delivery person scans the tracking code on the package and verifies it’s for you. It’ll be locked up in the box until you can get to it, safe and sound.
- Post a warning sign. Even if you don’t have cameras or any other security on the premises, simply putting up a sign warning people of cameras can be enough of a deterrent for thieves.
- Get a front door security camera or video doorbell. This camera will alert you when someone’s at your front door and will record a video of anyone who comes by. Some are also advanced enough to alert the authorities if it detects suspicious activity.
- Sign up for Amazon Key. If you’re in an eligible area, once you purchase the kit and set it up, you can use your phone to monitor the delivery process remotely. Through an app, you can unlock your door to allow a delivery driver into your home so they drop off the package inside. You may be uncomfortable with allowing a stranger into your home, but you can watch them through your phone live or record it to be watched later.
While we all wish we wouldn’t have to worry about things like this, unfortunately we do. Taking a few extra steps, or spending a few extra dollars, can keep your packages from getting thieved.
