Protecting your Packages from Porch Pirates
Let the mad rush of the holidays begin! The end of the year is swiftly approaching, and every retail store imaginable is running huge Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. As we purchase gifts for loved ones or take advantage of long awaited deals, we soon find our doorsteps piled high with packages. For “porch pirates” this means millions of boxes ready for plunder. On average, $19.5 billion of packages are stolen from door steps each year. Consider implementing a few additional security measures to make sure that all of your gifts make it home for the holidays.
Secure Delivery
Whether it’s the item you’ve been eyeing for months or the perfect gift for a family member, the anticipation of receiving packages is paramount to the excitement of Christmas morning itself. Having those parcels stolen right from your front door can dampen the holiday spirit and leave your wallet hurting. Fortunately, from the moment we click “Add to Cart”, we have a multitude of tools available to enjoy the smoothest, most secure delivery possible.
Scoring an unbelievable Black Friday deal does not make the item less valuable. If you purchase high value items this season, assess whether shipping insurance would be worth purchasing. In some cases, this option may save you a significant amount of money in the long run. While choosing the delivery method, check if scheduled delivery is available. With most people back to working in the office at least part of the week, it can be invaluable to have our purchases delivered when we are available to receive them. When possible, schedule deliveries for the weekends or work from home days. Alternatively, if you live within close driving distance from work, use your lunch break to return home and bring deliveries inside so they are not out in the open for long.
Make sure to choose a trusted mail carrier. Carriers such as UPS, USPS, FedEx, and Amazon have extensive systems of continuously improved delivery methods. Most companies allow you to give specific delivery instructions for exactly where to leave packages so they are placed in a discreet location. Double check that all personal information is correct so your package arrives at the correct location and you are notified when it does. Tracking packages has become universal for all online purchases. Whenever possible, select notifications to be sent to your phone. Request notifications to vigilantly track packages throughout shipping, estimated delivery, and actual delivery. Many carriers now provide proof of delivery automatically, but if the option is available make sure it is selected. This is especially important if an item does get stolen to ensure you get reimbursed from the correct party.
Talk with your community manager about on-site delivery options. Certain modern apartments have either a mailroom, community mailboxes, or even smart lockers or secure drop boxes for convenient and secure delivery. Find out what options are available in your community to have thorough instructions for your carrier. It may also be prudent to request that your items be shipped to an alternate location, such as store pickup. If you receive a lot of packages, a P.O. Box can be a worthwhile security investment. Your carrier may also give you the option of delivering to one of their ground locations. Amazon Lockers are a helpful secure delivery solution for Amazon purchases and are conveniently located at popular stores and malls.
If you are going out of town, contact your local post office and have all mail and parcels held there. A full mailbox is an immediate signal to thieves that the home is unmonitored and could put you at risk for more than just parcel theft. Lastly, get to know your neighbors in your community. If you are in good standing with your next door neighbor, you may be able to set up a system of helping each other bring packages inside until they can be picked up by the receiver.
Home Security
Certain apartment communities may provide or allow security systems to be installed in the unit. Speak with your property manager to learn what options are permitted in your community. Simple solutions such as Ring doorbell cameras are effective ways to monitor your home from work or when away for vacation. Look for a home security system that is accessible via mobile devices to receive notifications whenever someone approaches your door. These devices should be able to archive recordings in the event that a theft occurs. Test out the storage and memory of your system before entrusting your home to it. If you have home security or if the apartment complex has cameras installed already, posting a notice in your front window such as a system provided window cling to alert potential pirates that your home is monitored. For some thieves, the notice alone is a strong enough deterrent. In general, it is best practice to lock your doors at all times and keep parcels in the apartment or in the car out of sight to prevent break ins.
Responding to Theft
Even with security measures in place, we may still experience a parcel being stolen from our home. The first step you would want to take following the incident is to verify that the theft occurred. Obtain proof of delivery and visual documentation of the theft occurring, whenever possible. Ask all household members to check if the package was brought in already. Review the delivery address on your confirmation and check that it was delivered to the correct location. Gather all evidence that could be helpful in your report.
Next, report the theft to the seller and carrier. Informing each involved party right away allows them to take action where they can. A seller’s refund policy may or may not cover theft, but it is still helpful for them to know either way. If a theft occurred and your delivery instructions left for the carrier were not followed, notify the carrier immediately. While they may not be liable for the theft, notifying them of the oversight can help improve their deliveries and prevent them in the future. If you are unable to receive a refund, notify your bank of the payment made for unreceived items. In most cases, disputing the transaction ensures that you receive your money back. Notify your community manager as well of the incident. If parcel thefts become a trend in the community, your manager may want to notify other residents or take action steps in improving community security.
Finally, it is important to report even small thefts to your local authorities. The more reports they receive, the easier it is for the police to track trends and spot the areas that thieves tend to target. Providing as much information about the incident as possible may just aid in the thief being caught and stopping more packages from being stolen.
Online shopping is a convenient and easy way to finish holiday shopping! Who doesn’t love the convenience of staying home instead of driving around town to different stores or face the mad rush of holiday crowds? For all its convenience however, online shopping comes with its own risks. Make sure to take the needed precautions to keep your packages secure and protect yourself financially.