As the holiday season approaches, so does the threat of porch pirates. These are the people who snatch your online orders from your doorstep before you can get to them. Police say that these thieves are getting more brazen and cunning, starting their raids earlier and using more sophisticated methods. Here are 10 ways to keep your packages safe from being stolen.
Package theft surging
Package theft is on the rise as more people shop online for the holidays. According to a Package Theft Statistics survey, more than one-quarter of consumers (26%) have had a package stolen from their doorstep at least once. The 2023 holiday season is expected to see more of these thieves who target your deliveries. That’s why it’s time to take action and protect your packages from being snatched by porch pirates.
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How to protect packages from being stolen
By far the most useful innovation in years for package delivery security is the video doorbell. It catches crooks on video pure and simple.
Strategy #1: Deter porch pirates with a video doorbell
Depending upon how well your police department responds to porch pirate package theft, position your video doorbell to capture the face of the pirate and your package deliveries. Wyze Video Doorbell can push notifications to get a phone alert whenever anyone or anything approaches your door, even if they don’t ring the doorbell.
Capture visitors with 12-second videos and store them in the cloud for rolling 14 days for free. The Wyze Video Doorbell is easy to install by swapping out your old wired doorbell button and plugging in the chime inside.
WYZE Video Doorbell
The WYZE Video Doorbell with Chime is a smart device that lets you see and talk to your visitors from anywhere. It features a 1080p HD video camera with a 3:4 aspect ratio that captures a head-to-toe view of your doorstep. It also has night vision, motion detection, and custom alerts. The device is hardwired to your existing doorbell wiring and works with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. The package includes a chime that plugs into any standard outlet and plays a variety of sounds when someone rings the doorbell. The WYZE Video Doorbell with Chime is easy to install and comes with a horizontal wedge for angled mounting. It is a great way to enhance your home security and convenience. At the time of publishing, this product had over 7,200 global reviews with 63% giving it 5 stars.
Ring Video Doorbell
This Ring Doorbell bundle includes a Ring Video Doorbell, Satin Nickel, and Ring Stick Up Cam Battery to keep your home safe and secure 24/7. You’ll get an HD video doorbell with enhanced features that let you see, hear, and speak to anyone from your phone, tablet, or PC. When you download the Ring app, you’ll also receive mobile notifications when anyone presses your doorbell or triggers your built-in motion sensors. Plus, you can pair it with select Alexa-enabled devices to enable announcements and two-way talk for convenient in-home monitoring. Despite privacy concerns where Ring has shared video in the name of an “emergency”, it remains very popular. At the time of publishing, this product had over 179,000 global reviews with 81% giving it 5 stars.
We also added a couple of nearly invisible wireless Wyze Cam v3 cameras on tree limbs near the street at our house in hopes of being able to record a license plate if ever needed for police. I can set them to send a notification when the camera detects a person or car.
Wyze Cam v3
The wireless camera that is inexpensive and solid is called Wyze Cam v3 and has night vision that looks like daylight when viewing in the dark of night. This do-it-all, indoor/outdoor smart security camera with color night vision is the easiest way to start your smart home. Cam Plus for $1.99 per month has package and person detection to alert you when either is detected. I have more than 12 of these around our home perimeter and love them.
WYZE Cam Pan v3
The WYZE Cam Pan v3 is a Wi-Fi smart home security camera that can be used indoors or outdoors. It has a 1080p resolution and a pan/tilt/zoom function that allows you to adjust the viewing angle and zoom in on details. It also has a motion tracking feature that automatically follows the movement of a porch pirate and sends you alerts when it detects activity. It has a color night vision mode that lets you see clearly in the dark. It has a 2-way audio function that enables you to talk and listen to anyone who might be trying to steal your packages. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant so you can control it with your voice or smart devices. It is IP65-rated, which means it is dustproof and waterproof and can withstand harsh weather conditions. At the time of publishing, this product had over 7,800 global reviews with 70% giving it 5 stars.
Then there’s this powerful cam with flood lights to help deter criminals.
WYZE Floodlight Camera Pro
WYZE Floodlight Camera Pro is a smart outdoor security camera that combines powerful floodlights with a 2K HD camera to capture every detail of your home’s surroundings. With a 180° wide view, motion detection, color night vision, and a 105dB siren, you can monitor and deter any unwanted visitors from anywhere using the WYZE app. You can also store your recordings on the cloud or a microSD card for easy access and playback. Whether you want to keep an eye on your front door, backyard, or driveway, WYZE Floodlight Camera Pro is the perfect solution for your home surveillance needs. It is easy to install and requires a wired connection to a standard outdoor junction box. At the time of publishing, this product had over 900 global reviews with 71% giving it 5 stars.
Pro tip: If your camera has the feature set your video camera to notify you when it identifies packages within view.
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Strategy #2: Pick a delivery date
Get packages delivered on a day you know someone will be home to receive them. Amazon and several retailers offer to ship for delivery on specific days of the week. That way it is easier to monitor when packages are most likely to arrive and can be safely stashed.
Strategy #3: Sign up for delivery notifications
You can get an alert each time a package arrives at your doorstep. Both FedEx and UPS will send a text when you’ve just received a delivery. Amazon will also send you a shipment text letting you know a package was just delivered.
To set up Amazon delivery notifications, follow these quick steps.
- Log on to the Amazon site
- Go to Your Account section here
- Scroll down to the Communication and content section
- Tap Shipment Updates via Text
- Follow on-screen instructions and then tap Subscribe
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Strategy #4: Talk to your delivery drivers
Say hello to the folks normally delivering packages. Ask them to place your deliveries in a less visible spot if you are not home. The key is getting your packages out of view of opportunistic porch pirates that may be driving by looking for easy prey.
Strategy #5: Send your packages to Amazon Lockers
Opting for delivery to a nearby lockbox called Amazon Lockers is a very secure method to dodge package theft in many cities. I tried it once and found it to be a hassle to make an extra trip to receive deliveries but is indeed more secure than leaving an order on my porch. You get notified when packages are awaiting your retrieval. You enter the Locker code to get your items. See how far away the nearest Amazon Locker is located from your home. Find the nearest Amazon Locker.
If you don’t have an Amazon account, here are 9 best features of Amazon Prime that may convince you of a membership and here are 5 ways to get a cheaper Amazon Prime membership.
Strategy #6: Add a Locking Delivery Box or a Smart Mailbox
Using a locking delivery box or a smart mailbox can help you protect your packages from porch pirates. These boxes are accessible only to people who have a key, scan a code or enter a passcode, and they hold your packages securely until you’re ready to take them inside.
Elephantrunk Parcel Drop Box
The Elephantrunk Parcel Drop Box is a secure and convenient way to receive packages and mail. It is made of heavy-gauge steel and powder-coated in black to resist weather and wear. The box has a large capacity that can hold multiple parcels of various sizes. It also has a retrieval door with a pry-resistant 3-point locking mechanism and a yellow “No Deliveries” indicator to prevent overloading. The Elephantrunk Parcel Drop Box can be easily installed on any flat surface and comes with all the necessary hardware and instructions. It is a perfect solution for online shoppers, home-based businesses, or anyone who wants to protect their deliveries from theft, damage, or bad weather. At the time of publishing, this product had over 900 global reviews with 71% giving it 5 stars.
Smart mailboxes can also be used to livestream footage from your porch and sound an alarm if anyone tries to break into them. Some picks below
Eufy Security SmartDrop Box
The Eufy Security SmartDrop is a smart delivery drop box that keeps your packages safe and secure. It has a built-in 1080P camera that records every delivery and allows you to see who is at your door. You can also use the 2-way audio feature to communicate with the delivery person or deter unwanted visitors. The drop box has an epic size that can fit most packages, and a sturdy steel body that can withstand harsh weather and tampering. You can control the drop box remotely using the Eufy Security app, which lets you lock and unlock the box, adjust the settings, and receive notifications for deliveries. The drop box connects to your home Wi-Fi network and works with Alexa and Google Assistant. The Eufy Security SmartDrop is a smart and convenient way to protect your packages from theft and damage. At the time of publishing, this product had nearly 200 global reviews with 59% giving it 5 stars.
Strategy #7: Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery
We added a strong deadbolt to the door leading into the house from the garage before signing up. Now, when we are not home, an Amazon delivery can be placed securely inside our garage using the free service called Amazon Key. The addition of a smart garage controller is the first step. Once you’ve signed up for Amazon Key In Garage Delivery, pick Key Delivery when checking out on Amazon to have your packages securely put in the garage. I really like that you can block access to your garage any time you want. The driver never needs your garage code and access only works for their one-time delivery. Put in your zip code here to see if the free Amazon Key service is available in your area.
Chamberlain Garage Control
The MyQ Smart Garage controller is compatible with all major garage openers and available here. At the time of publishing, this product had over 95,000 global reviews with 71% giving it 5 stars.
Get CHAMBERLAIN Garage Control
Strategy #8: Monitor nearby package theft reports
Sign up for neighborhood porch pirate alerts from popular local networks like Neighbors and Nextdoor apps. This is where people often post when they’ve had a package stolen and sometimes upload videos or images of the suspected porch pirates. We’ve been about to identify a suspected porch pirate previously seen on one of these neighborhood apps so that our friends and neighbors can also be on the lookout for these package thieves that seem to strike in seconds flat.
Strategy #9: Request a signature confirmation
Request a signature confirmation for your deliveries
Another way to prevent package theft is to request a signature confirmation for your deliveries. This means that the delivery person will not leave the package at your door unless someone signs for it. You can request a signature confirmation from most delivery services, such as FedEx, UPS, USPS, and DHL. This option may cost extra, but it can give you peace of mind that your package will not be stolen.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Porch piracy is a serious problem that can ruin your holiday spirit and cost you money and time. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent your packages from being stolen by these thieves. You can use video doorbells, delivery notifications, lockboxes, Amazon Lockers, or Amazon Key to secure your deliveries. You can also choose a delivery date, talk to your delivery drivers, or monitor nearby package theft reports to stay alert and vigilant. By following these 10 strategies, you can keep your packages safe and enjoy the holiday season without worrying about porch pirates.
How do you think online retailers and delivery companies can help reduce the problem of porch piracy? What are some features or services you would like to see them offer? Let us know in the comments below.
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