The Most Effective Ways To Prevent Package Theft
Consider the following scenario: you've ordered a costly item online, but the delivery man leaves it at your doorway since you're at work. Someone goes by your porch before you get home and notices an unsecured package. They seize the thing and flee without being noticed, never to be seen again. For more than a third of Americans, this is a genuine narrative. Porch piracy is a real thing, and if you're not vigilant, your hard-earned money's worth of stuff can easily be taken. To assist, we've created a list of the most effective methods for preventing package theft.
Deliveries should require a signature.
Make sure your parcel can only be delivered with a signature. This is one of the simplest methods to ensure that your delivery does not wait on your front porch for hours. The delivery driver will have to ring the doorbell and only leave the item if the door is answered. Unfortunately, if you work a nine-to-five job, this will not work. If no one is available to receive the item, you will need to go to the shipping company's headquarters to recover it. Installing doorbell cameras offered by corporations is one method to get around this. When the delivery person rings the doorbell, these gadgets transmit a video notice to your phone, and if you're not home, you may call a neighbor and ask them to pick up the gift for you.
Have Packages Delivered to a Different Location
If you know you won't be home when a delivery arrives, the cheapest option to ensure your product is safe is to have it sent to a different location. You can have your items delivered to your office if you work in a firm that permits you to receive personal mail. If you have a loved one or a friend who is generally at home during working hours, however, have the item delivered to them instead. Retired elders, distant employees, and folks working night shifts are all examples of people who could assist you.
Purchase a Package Lockbox.
If you don't have access to a smart locker, a package lockbox may be placed on your doorstep and will automatically lock when the delivery man places the item inside. There are a variety of solutions available, and you may even make your own parcel lockbox using an old trunk that you don't use and a locker. However, because you'll have to rely on the deliveryman to lock the trunk before departing, this might be problematic.
Surveillance Cameras Should Be Installed
Surveillance cameras are useful for more than only catching the thief who stole your delivery; they also deter potential criminals from approaching your home. Having a conspicuous surveillance camera at your front entrance will ensure that your packages are not stolen. You may even take it a step further and add a motion sensor, which is included with certain home security systems. By placing the sensor near the package's position, you'll receive a phone notice if someone approaches it, allowing you to watch the live feed of your camera to see whether someone is attempting to steal it.
Display Security Decals in Your Home
Showing burglars that you have a home security system like Cove Smart, similar to the surveillance cameras, will deter them. That's why the majority of people who use this service proudly show the company's name. As a result, we recommend posting a decal or sign indicating that your property is protected by a home security system.
Avoid Booby Traps at All Costs
In recent years, booby trapped parcels have been a popular method of combating porch piracy, but we highly warn against it. While the notion of a robber fleeing your house coated in glitter is hilarious, you might face legal issues and perhaps jail time if someone is injured in the process.