Holiday Package Theft Protection Tips

As more people choose online shopping, the opportunities for porch pirates to take advantage of free gifts are on the rise. The holiday shopping season means more unattended boxes filled with goodies end up on porches, giving thieves more opportunities. Fortunately, homeowners can take steps to protect against theft during the holidays after UPS, FedEx and Amazon drop off packages when no one is home. Here are a few tips that can help protect your packages and keep your homes safe during this holiday season.

1. Set Up Notifications to Track Your Package

Request notifications on your deliveries, via phone or email, to monitor your packages in transit and upon delivery. FedEx and UPS offer services to assist customers during the holidays.

The US Postal Service, FedEX and UPS all have systems to track your packages from the retailer to your doorstep. All three use tracking numbers that can be used to figure out where the item is and when it should be delivered to your home.

With the postal service’s Informed Delivery app, you can have email or text alerts about packages sent to you automatically, and you can post delivery instructions for the mail carrier if you won’t be home when the package gets there. UPS’ My Choice program and FedEx’s Delivery Manager offer similar options.

Amazon helps you keep track of your packages, too, with tracking information that can be found in your order details.

2. Retrieve a package as soon as it arrives

The best package theft deterrent is being home and retrieving a package as soon as it arrives. Some retailers offer customers the opportunity to select a delivery window. When you make your purchases, select a delivery day that you or someone in your household will be at home. Most retailers or shipping companies now offer nearly real-time package delivery notifications. You can track a package, and if you’re away, arrange for someone to be home when it’s scheduled to arrive.

If you know you're often away from home when packages get delivered, it can be a good idea to ask a trusted neighbor who is home during the day to grab a package for you. As soon as you receive the delivery notification, contact your neighbor and ask if they can hold onto the package or give them a key to leave it inside your home. To show your appreciation, you can reciprocate for your neighbor when they're away from home or bring them a baked treat.

3. Ship Packages to a Safe Location

Another surefire way to prevent porch pirates is to not have packages delivered to your home at all. Consider sending deliveries to an alternate location where someone will be able to receive them – whether that be a workplace, a neighbor or friend’s house, or a hub location.

Many people have holiday packages delivered to their workplace or to a trusted neighbor nearby who’ll be at home when the item arrives. FedEx will hold your package for pickup at one of its FedEx Office locations or at Walgreens. Packages sent via UPS can be picked up at a UPS facility, diverted to a UPS Store or even delivered on another day that’s more convenient for you.

Most shipping services will deliver your packages to a store or a protected mailbox. For example, if you order from stores like Walmart, Target, or Bath and Body Works, you can pick up your package at your nearest store. It's quick, convenient, and safe. Amazon also has hub locations where customers can pick up packages, especially if they aren't home when packages are delivered. Most retailers ask customers to show identification before they release packages to help stop package theft. Some retailers give shoppers a unique code to open a safe box that holds their items. 

6. Have Your Mail Held When You're out of Town

The United States Postal Service will hold your mail while you are out of town. You can arrange the service easily on the USPS website, and you can schedule it at your local post office branch. At the end of the hold-mail service, you can ask the post office to deliver your mail or you can pick it up at the nearest branch. The best way to prevent theft during the holidays if you are away from home or on vacation is to have USPS hold your mail, then you pick it up. UPS and FedEx also have hold-mail services, and you can pause your Amazon scheduled deliveries for package theft protection. 

5. Install a Security Camera

To stop theft during the holidays and the rest of the year, install a home security system. There are hundreds of home security systems available that are easy to install and offer reliable technology. A visible camera will deter a porch pirate. When thieves see a camera outside of a home, they may think twice before stealing a package from a doorstep. Along with a visible camera, consider adding a sign showing your home is protected by a professional home monitoring company. In the event that your package does get stolen from your porch, the camera will capture the moment to share with law enforcement and to help raise awareness for your neighbors.

6. Install a Lockable Porch Box

If you have routine deliveries, consider installing a lockable porch box with programmable codes for your delivery people. The best lockable boxes can be permanently anchored to your porch to prevent theft. You can also ask your delivery people to place your package in a hidden location, including in your home or at a back door. If you install a Notion Sensor in your lockable porch box, you'll receive a notification when your packages are delivered. You'll also receive a notification if someone opens the box after the delivery service leaves. 

7. Amazon Key Reduces Theft

Another option that reduced theft is Amazon Key. Your Amazon delivery driver uses a smart lock and security camera to put your packages inside your front door. For added security, consider adding a Notion Sensor to your front door to receive alerts when your door opens and closes. Amazon delivery drivers can also put packages inside cars for additional protection from theft. 

8. Become Friends with Your Neighbors

If you have not already done so, the holiday season is a great time to get to know your neighbors. This includes the people who live next door, across the street and over the back fence. Neighbors watching out for neighbors help keep an eye out for suspicious activity and make communities safer. 

Employees at shipping companies are human, so they occasionally make mistakes. Sometimes they drop off packages at the wrong address. Before you assume the worst, ask your neighbors if they received your package. Amazon and other shipping companies often photograph the package drop-off spot, so look closely to determine if it's your porch or your neighbor's porch. 

9. Stay Informed and Be Watchful

Nextdoor.com, Crime Stoppers and social media posts from law enforcement sometimes spotlight porch piracy.

Porch pirates can be creative and determined. Be aware of “tailgating,” which refers to people who follow delivery vehicles and steal packages after they are dropped off. Some masquerade as delivery drivers, even carrying dummy packages or holding papers and clipboards to hide the fact that they’re up to no good. 

Never accept a surprise delivery where a payment is required, and never give out personal information when receiving a delivery that you purchased as it may be a scam. Be sure to take the necessary steps to protect your home, family, pets and packages with the tips that work best for your situation this holiday season. 

10. Report Missing Packages

In the unfortunate event that your package theft strikes you, there are some steps you should take to resolve the matter. First, make sure to contact the right people.

Contact the Sender

First things first: contact the sender. Often times, companies are sympathetic and have customer service guidelines in place for such mishaps. They may just send over a replacement.

USPS Stolen Packages

If USPS was the delivery service involved in the stolen package, file a claim. You’ll need your tracking number and proof of insurance. You’ll also need proof of the value of the item.

If you have evidence that someone stole the package, submit any footage. You’re not likely to get a refund from USPS, which is why asking the seller for a replacement is your best bet.

UPS Stolen Packages

UPS has different procedures for different types of orders. For domestic shipping, you’ve got to be patient. You’ll need to wait out a 24-hour period before filing a claim. 

For international shipping, you won’t be able to file a claim. UPS will investigate the claim you filed. However, there are no guarantees of finding a culprit or receiving a refund.

Amazon Stolen Packages

If Amazon’s tracking system shows your package as delivered, but it’s not anywhere to be found, you can get a refund easily. You have to wait 36 hours to contact Amazon. 

If your package is late, you’ll get a credit for the inconvenience. Even with third-party sellers, they handle the details so you don’t have to. 

FedEx Stolen Packages

FedEx has an online portal for filing lost packages. They are, just like their delivery services, quick to resolve lost package claims. That is, if you file within 60 calendar days and have the details of the order on hand. 

File a Police Report: 

If you’re certain someone stole your package, filing a police report is important. This isn’t just useful to you, it’s useful for the entire neighborhood. 

If many people file such reports, the police department might open a more serious investigation to find out who is stealing packages from porches in your area.

It’s better to be safe than sorry. Instead of waiting for a porch pirate to snag your holiday gifts before you get home, implement some of these tactics. They can help you to avoid being a victim of theft. There are tons of options available to shoppers that can help to eradicate porch piracy.