How To Keep Packages Safe From Porch Pirates (aka Package Thieves)

If you opened up this post, I assume you do most (or a lot) of shopping online. Most of us do these days. And it’s even more common because of being stuck indoors with Covid 19.

What no one counts on when shopping online is their packages getting stolen right off their porch.

Porch Pirates may sound like mythical creatures but they are real and vicious.

Have you ever had a package stolen off your front porch? 

Thankfully we have not but I do know someone who has. And he lived above us in a 2-flat so I feel pretty blessed not to have had the same issue!

If you have, I can only assume it made you feel violated and angry. You worked hard for the money used to buy those items and someone took them away from you. 

I really don’t think it matters what kind of neighborhood we live in – packages getting stolen by porch thieves is a possibility anywhere.

My mom told me about a time she had a very expensive piece of electronics delivered and you would think that the supplier would have put the item in an unmarked box. Nope! Instead, the outside of the box made it very clear what was inside. So there it was just sitting on the porch for everyone going by to look at (and possibly steal!). Thankfully no one touched the box.

We work hard for our money and deserve not to lose any by having our packages stolen. So it begs the question:

Is there anything we can we do to better protect our packages?

We live in a day and age where online ordering is almost necessary. And our money is very valuable so we want to make sure we don’t ever have something stolen .

Although I do not claim that anything will absolutely keep your items protected, I do believe we can do our part to help keep them as safe as possible.

So instead of having an item delivered to your front porch and keeping your fingers crossed that nothing will happen to it, consider using one of the following options:

Amazon Locker

I love this option from Amazon. There are many locations in the U.S. that offer a free Amazon locker as a choice to have your packages delivered to.

You can easily see if there is a location available near you by searching under “Your Addresses” in the settings section of your Amazon account. If you select this option, you will receive an email with a unique pick up code when your package arrives.

I have some friends that have used this service before and it worked out great for them. If you are ordering anything from Amazon this holiday season (or anytime), there might be a locker conveniently located near you!

Send packages to a neighbor, friend or family member’s residence

Although this is not a new concept, it is a good reminder. We often have people we know that are home most of the day that we can send packages to. Or a neighbor may even have a porch that would be able to hide a package a little better than yours.

Of course if you are going to send things to someone else’s house, make sure to get their permission first! Perhaps you can return the favor by helping them out in some way. I know I love freshly baked cookies 🙂

Send packages to your place of work

I think that we often forget that many of us work somewhere that packages can easily be delivered to. (I know I forget this all the time!) But since we are there almost every day, what a great option to make sure our packages stay safe.

Visible security cameras

Whether real or not, the mere site of cameras on your front porch can deter thieves. Just the possibility of their crime being recorded can easily scare them off. Here is a link to a fake camera if you don’t want to purchase a real one.

Motion Sensor Lights

A motion sensor light could possibly scare away a thief. For one, the light turning on all of a sudden will likely startle them and make them run away.

Secondly, the added pressure of stealing something with a spotlight on them can easily deter them. Most thieves like to work in the dark!

Amazon Key

Amazon will send you a kit that includes a camera and compatible smart lock.

On the day of your delivery, Amazon will notify you when the delivery person is about to arrive and unlock your door for them. The delivery person will enter your home and leave your package right inside. You can watch the delivery live on an app if you would like.

Amazon will let you know when the delivery has been completed and your door is again locked.

You might not like the idea of a strange person being able to enter your house, even if you can watch it happen live. And that is okay and totally understandable! But if you are interested, you can find out more about it at Amazon Key.

Package Guard

Package Guard is a small round device you place near your door. It says “PLACE PACKAGES HERE” and you are alerted when the delivery person sets your package on it. If a thief tries to take your package, a loud alarm goes off. You can find out more about it at The Package Guard.

Use a Lockbox

The lockbox will be placed right outside your front door. You will then give the delivery driver the code to the lockbox just before your packages are to be delivered and they can be placed safely inside. Find out more from Landport.

For Fun

Mark Rober famously created a “glitter bomb” trap to catch a porch pirate. Check out the fun!

Most of us make purchases online and have items delivered to our door. Unfortunately, those packages are vulnerable to porch thieves.

Some of the above options are more secure than others, and although there is no guarantee any packages will be left untouched, there are steps we can take to better protect what we buy.

What would you add to this list? Share in the comments below!

If you found this post helpful, please share 🙂

Resources:
cbsnews.com

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