It’s an all-too-familiar scenario: A long-awaited package finally arrives, only to be grabbed off your front porch before you get home. Ugh! If you’re like most people, you probably feel violated, helpless, and really, really annoyed. It’s completely normal to feel upset in the moment. But luckily there are a few things you can do to minimize the chances of getting a package stolen off your porch.
With the rise of online shopping has come the disturbing trend known as porch pirates. Porch pirates are thieves that steal packages right from your front door. This theft is happening to millions of homeowners and costing victims countless dollars.
These pirates may not be sailing the high seas, but they’re just as clever. They are known to follow delivery trucks around and as soon as they drop off the packages, the thieves grab their loot. Research shows that more than a third of Americans have had a package stolen from their porch at least once. So if it hasn’t happened to you yet, you could be next. That is, if you don’t take the right measures to secure your property of course.
3 Tips for Stopping Porch Theft
So let’s cut to the chase: Here are some ways to start protecting your packages today, plus some advice on what to do if a package is stolen off your porch.
1. Install a Doorbell Camera and Consider Extra Security Cameras
Thanks to modern technology, we can see what is going on in our homes even if we are miles away. A smart home security system that includes a smart lock and a doorbell camera gives you several ways to prevent theft.
You can’t always schedule package deliveries ahead of time. But you can use Home Automation from ACS Security. Everything from easy-to-install doorbell cameras, two-way voice cameras, and video surveillance from that send alerts to your smartphone when a delivery person rings your doorbell. This allows you to go home to secure your packages or ask a neighbor to secure it for you. You can also receive real-time notifications of suspicious activity and share them with the local police.
How Do Doorbell Cameras Work?
Doorbell cameras are one of the easiest and most affordable home security devices. Most cameras on the market today offer a 160-degree field of view. Plus two-way audio that connects straight to your smartphone.
With doorbell cameras, you can both hear and see what is happening on your front porch. From there, you can see exactly when your package is delivered and communicate with the delivery person to place it in a safer location.
Additional Security for Your Home
Adding additional security cameras to your property allows a broader perspective of what is happening at your home while you are away.
If you, like many homeowners, have multiple locations a package could be left, adding security cameras will help keep every part of your property secure. The best part is, with wireless connectivity, you can still monitor everything from your smartphone.
2. Use Real-Time Video
Today’s video technology allows you to livestream your home so you can see what is happening whenever you need to. This is a helpful feature. Not only can you see and speak to a thief in real-time, but you can also see a delivery person, unlock your door, and ask the delivery driver to set the package inside the door. After the door closes, you can easily lock it. Porch pirates aren’t big fans of this technology and will stay away from homes that are equipped with these systems. So whether you’re worried about a neighbor who stole your package in the past or any other porch pirates, real-time streaming can minimize the chance of it happening again.
3. Invest In SmartHome Security
When it comes to protecting you and your home from porch pirates, the most effective method is smart home security. Monitor everything in your smart home security through a single app, including:
- Who last accessed the system
- Whether a door was left open
- Control a lights and locks
You’ll never have to wonder what to do about stolen packages again because you’ll have all of the information you need to handle any situation and deter would-be porch pirates.
Smart home security is the most complete way to secure your property, your packages, and your family. Arm and disarm your system, switch off the lights, or adjust the thermostat from wherever you are. How do you think the porch pirate will feel about being greeted with the blaring Pirates of the Caribbean theme when they approach your packages? Between your smart home system and connected smart home assistant, you can make it happen. With real-time alerts, you will know what is happening at home at all times.
What To Do If a Package Is Stolen
By now you’re a porch pirate pro. By professionally securing your home you greatly decrease the chances of losing packages to thieves. But never say never. In the small chance that someone does still swipe a package off your porch, there are a few steps you can take to possibly get a replacement or refund. Here are a few tips on what to do if someone steals your package from your porch:
- File a police report. If you’ve had something stolen off your porch, your first item of business should be to file a police report. They may not be able to do much about it if you don’t have any evidence. But if you have footage from a video doorbell or other home security, they’ll have a better chance of catching the criminals. You can also use your police report to file an insurance claim.
- Contact the sender. Some companies have generous policies relating to porch theft and will send you a new product right away if you reach out to them. Get in touch with the sender to find out if you can get a replacement. If not, maybe you can at least get a refund on the item.
- Report it to the delivery company. Whether your package was delivered by Amazon, FedEx, UPS, or USPS, it’s worth contacting the delivery company to see if they’ll give you a refund or resend the package. You may need to fill out a lost package claim. Keep track of your order number and emails relating to your package.
For More Security and Home Automation Tips and Solutions, Stick with ACS Security
Before the thought of deterring porch pirates overwhelms, don’t forget to enlist the help and protection of a security company like ACS. We’ll use our years of experience to help you find the best home security solution for your home and budget.
And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security and automation services at ACS Security. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.