How to protect your deliveries from Porch Pirates

Porch pirates are what law enforcement are calling a new breed of opportunistic thieves that cruise around looking for easily grabbed delivery boxes left unattended on front porches. 

More Americans are now buying goods by mail than ever before, and the coming holidays are when most of this shopping (and stealing) takes place.

If you are enjoying this kind of shopping convenience, you should make yourself familiar with some safeguards that will make it more likely that you, not the thief, enjoys your expensive item.

Track your item

USPS, UPS, FedEX, Amazon all have tracking systems that can alert you by text when your parcel is delivered. 

Deliver to your office or neighbor

A great way to confound porch pirates is to have a deliveries go to a neighbor who you know will be home at that time, or to your office. FedEx, and UPS will hold packages for pickup or deliver on another day when someone at your home can receive it.

Give the delivery company a key

Amazon Prime membership’s Key Smart Lock Kit let’s you remotely unlock your door so the package can be dropped inside your home. Also, Amazon’s Key In-Car Delivery allows the delivery person to put a package in your car’s backseat, or trunk when it’s parked on the street.

Install  security camera.

Seeing a red light on a video camera may discourage thieves, and it will record the theft and help with a crime report.

Install a lockbox

A large secure container can be bolted to your property and pad locked.

If your package doesn’t show up

US Postal Service has a form, Missing Mail Search Request ( although a seven day wait is required).

If sent by UPS, contact the sender to start a claim with them, since they will have all necessary forms and invoices.

FedEx has an online claim form you can fill out.

Amazon’s Where’s My Stuff? pages has many other helpful tips if your item goes missing.

Talk to your insurance agent if a theft occurs.

A package stolen from your property is covered under your homeowner, or rental insurance, although a deductible may apply.