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From purchasing the latest gadgets to ordering your groceries for the week, you are able to buy just about anything online.
But, how safe are your valuables once they find their way to your front door?
According to a recent poll conducted by Comcast and Wakefield Research, 3 out of 10 Americans who live in houses or townhomes have been the victim of package theft and that number is growing every year. So how can you stop your easy-ordered dreams from turning into a delivery nightmare?
Following these precautionary package theft protection tips can allow you to shop till you drop without the worry of front porch package pickers.
- Ship according to where you will be during the day. Instead of setting your delivery to arrive at a time when you can’t be home, have your package delivered to your workplace or a friend/family member who is available during that time.
- Update your settings to require a signature upon arrival. This can ensure that your packages aren’t simply left outside of your house unattended.
- Installing a front porch camera can help you monitor any suspicious activity outside of your home. There are a number of apps that will allow you to survey your house directly from your phone or tablet. These platforms will send you timely alerts when someone approaches your home and can even stream real-time footage from your property. In the event that your order is stolen, having photo or video evidence can help you identify the thief when contacting the police.
- If possible, schedule your deliveries to arrive at a time that you know you will be home (evening, weekend, etc) so you are able to immediately move your items indoors. August Home and Edelman Intelligence research firm found that approximately 74% of packages are stolen during the day while homeowners are at work.
- Opt for in-store pickup. Sure, making an extra stop isn’t ideal, but it’s more convenient than the process of recovering your order after they’ve been stolen.
- Leave delivery instructions when placing an order. If there is an option to leave specific instructions, request that your items be placed in a secure location as opposed to your front porch. (Back or side porch, etc) These alternative locations stand a better chance against package theft than those left in plain sight.
- Use an Amazon Locker, UPS My Choice, or similar resources to track your deliveries and ensure your items are at a secure pick-up location.
Shopping online is a financial investment that should be a benefit to you, not a burden. Shop responsibly! By implementing these simple steps into your online shopping habits, you can help reduce your risk of package theft.
