As the holiday season approaches, the excitement of gift-giving can quickly turn to anxiety about package theft. With porch pirates on the prowl, your carefully delivered gifts could end up disappearing from your doorstep. 2023 alone will be amazing 119 million packages reported stolenwhich means 1 out of every 180 deliveries disappeared into thin air.
Cities like Seattle, Memphis, and San Diego are hotspots for these unfortunate robberies.
If you’ve ever rushed home to rescue your belongings, alerted your neighbors, or worse, found yourself the victim of a sneaky thief, you’re not alone. But don’t worry. Here are some tips to save you from the headache of holiday luggage theft. Let’s dive in.
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Porch pirates are suspected of taking luggage from the premises. (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Tip 1: Install security cameras
First, consider installing security cameras around your home. Having a good camera system can make all the difference in thwarting sneaky thieves. Depending on how well your police respond to package theft by porch pirates, video doorbell Photograph the pirate’s face and the package delivery. Video doorbell allows you to receive push notifications every time someone or something approaches your door, even if the doorbell isn’t ringing.
You may also want to consider adding a few things that are almost invisible. wireless camera On a tree branch near your street. We did this because we wanted to be able to record license plates if the police needed them. You can set it to send notifications when the camera detects people or cars.
When purchasing a camera, look for high-resolution video with night vision so you can see everything clearly even at night. Motion detection is a must. Alerts you if someone gets too close to your front door. Plus, two-way audio lets you talk to anyone at the door, even the delivery person or someone who shouldn’t be there. Don’t forget about cloud storage. This allows you to easily access your footage whenever you need it. Check out my top picks 6 of the best outdoor security cameras.
Pro tip: If your camera has this feature, set your video camera to notify you when it identifies a package in view.
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doorbell camera image (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Tip 2: Use a tracking app
Next, make sure you use a tracking app for your deliveries. Most shipping companies offer tracking services that allow you to track your package from the moment it leaves the warehouse until it arrives at your home.
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When you sign up for Delivery based on USPS informationwhich gives you a digital preview of what’s going to arrive in your mailbox, is very convenient. You can set email or text alerts for delivery updates so you always know when your package will arrive. Some retailers will even send you a photo after your package has been delivered, giving you added peace of mind that your package has arrived safely.
Woman using tracking app on iPhone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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Tip 3: Make sure someone is home
Now, let’s talk about timing. It is important to have someone nearby who can receive your package as soon as it arrives. This can be difficult since many deliveries occur during business hours. If you can afford it, try working from home on the days when important packages are scheduled to arrive. If that’s not possible, coordinate with a friend, family member, or roommate to always have someone nearby to pick up your delivery right away.
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woman receiving luggage at home (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Tip 4: Coordinate with your neighbors
Don’t underestimate the power of community. Working with your neighbors can make a big difference in preventing package theft. Sign up for neighborhood porch pirate alerts from popular local networks like Porch Pirate Alerts. neighbor and next App. This is where people often post when their packages are stolen, and sometimes upload videos and images of suspected porch piracy. Additionally, making arrangements with trusted neighbors to monitor each other’s packages can greatly increase security. There is power in numbers.
person who picks up packages for neighbors (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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Tip 5: Have your package delivered to another location
If you feel home delivery is too risky, consider another, safer shipping option. Many people choose to have their luggage sent to their workplace if allowed. That way it’s less likely to be stolen than sitting on your porch all day. Retailers often offer secure pickup locations You can receive your package at your convenience. Renting a post office box or using a service to store your packages for pickup at a local shipping facility are also great options for your valuables.
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Woman receiving luggage at work (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Tip 6: Request signature verification
Another way to prevent package theft is to require signature confirmation of your deliveries. This means the delivery person won’t leave the package at your door unless someone signs for it. You can request signature confirmation from most shipping services, including FedEx, UPS, USPS, and DHL. This option may cost extra, but you can rest assured that your luggage will not be stolen.
Tip 7: Send to a remote pickup location
Did you know that most delivery services now offer remote pickup locations? These can be secure lockers, post offices, retail counters, etc. Amazon has hundreds of Amazon lockers and pickup counters across the country, which Prime members can use for free. Check out how far away There is an Amazon locker closest to your home.
When checking out, please click change Select next to your shipping address Find a nearby pickup location Click to review your options. Once your package is delivered, you will receive a notification or email with a code to retrieve your package from your locker or pick-up point. Some items can also be returned at these locations.
person receiving luggage from locker (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Tip 8: In-garage delivery of Amazon keys
Before signing the contract, we added a strong deadbolt to the door that enters the house from the garage. Now, you can use a free service called Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery to safely place Amazon deliveries in your garage when you’re not home. addition of smart garage controller is the first step. Once you sign up for Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery, you can safely store your packages in your garage by selecting Key Delivery when checking out on Amazon. I love that I can block access to the garage whenever I want. Drivers do not need a garage code and can only access it for one-time deliveries.
Delivery made using Amazon Key-In-Garage Delivery (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Tip 9: Prepare a delivery box
Another great option is delivery box This allows you to safely unload your belongings and store them discreetly. Please note that you need to inform the delivery person how to use the box and how it works.
Putting the package into the delivery box (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Tip 10: Sign up for delivery notifications
Receive alerts every time a package arrives at your doorstep. Both FedEx and UPS will send you a text when they receive your package. Amazon will also send you a shipping text letting you know your package has been delivered.
To set up amazon shipping notificationfollow these simple steps.
- log on to Amazon site
- go to your account section
- Scroll down and Communication and content section
- tap Update shipping information via text
- Follow the onscreen instructions and tap Subscribe
Cart important points
Remember, simple actions like installing security cameras, using tracking apps, and coordinating with your neighbors can go a long way in protecting your belongings. So, as you prepare for the holiday season, keep these tips in mind and enjoy a worry-free gift-giving experience. Keep the porch pirates at bay and make sure all your packages arrive safely at your doorstep.
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