Porch Piracy Prevention: How to Protect Your Packages from Theft

Package theft—commonly called "porch piracy"—affects millions of Americans annually. With e-commerce deliveries at record levels, protecting packages has become essential for both shoppers and sellers.

The Scale of the Problem

Package Theft Statistics

By the numbers:

49 million Americans had packages stolen in past year
$8+ billion in stolen merchandise annually
64% of Americans have had a package stolen
Average loss: $50-100 per theft
Peak season: November-December

Why It's Getting Worse

Contributing factors:

Record e-commerce volume
More deliveries to unattended homes
Organized theft rings emerging
Quick resale via online marketplaces
Low prosecution rates

Who Gets Targeted

Higher risk situations:

Homes unattended during day
Apartments without secure delivery
Visible package placement
Repeat delivery addresses
Urban and suburban areas

Prevention for Shoppers

Delivery Timing Options

Scheduled delivery windows:

Choose when you're home
Evening/weekend delivery options
Specific time windows
Premium for precision

Delivery day selection:

Pick day off work
Coordinate with schedule
Weekend delivery
Hold for pickup

Alternative Delivery Locations

Carrier pickup locations:

USPS Post Office
UPS Store/Access Points
FedEx Office/Hold locations
Walgreens, CVS partnerships
Amazon Hub Lockers

Workplace delivery:

Ship to office
Ask employer policy
Dedicated receiving area
Sign on delivery possible

Neighbor coordination:

Trusted neighbor receives
Arrangement for holding
Communication required
Reciprocal arrangement

Secure Delivery Options

Amazon Locker:

Free to use
Package held securely
Pickup code provided
3-day retrieval window
Locations in stores, apartments

Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery:

Smart garage opener required
Driver opens garage, places inside
Video monitoring available
Prime members eligible
myQ garage integration

Amazon Key In-Home Delivery:

Smart lock required
Driver enters, places inside
Camera records delivery
Limited availability

Package lockboxes:

Secure box on porch
Driver places inside
Code or key access
Various sizes available
$50-300+ cost

Signature Requirements

When to require signature:

High-value items
Important documents
Sensitive contents
Known theft area

Options by carrier:

USPS: Signature Confirmation ($3+)
UPS: Delivery Confirmation Signature ($5+)
FedEx: Direct Signature Required ($6+)

Real-Time Tracking

Why it helps:

Know when package arrives
Get delivery notification
Act quickly to retrieve
Photo confirmation

Tracking features:

Push notifications
Delivery photo
Map tracking
Estimated windows

Prevention for Sellers

Packaging Strategies

Discreet packaging:

Plain boxes
No brand indication
Unmarked contents
Reduces targeting

Size optimization:

Right-sized packaging
Less visible on porch
Mailbox-fit when possible
Padded envelopes for small items

Shipping Options to Offer

Give customers choices:

Signature required option
Locker delivery option
In-store pickup
Alternative address support
Delivery instructions field

Insurance and Claims

Protect your business:

Carrier insurance for valuable items
Clear replacement policy
Proof of delivery important
Claim process defined

Customer communication:

Set delivery expectations
Provide tracking prominently
Offer delivery options
Responsive to theft reports

Carrier Selection

Consider theft rates:

Carrier photo confirmation
Delivery timing options
Neighborhood knowledge
Alternative delivery points

Technology Solutions

Smart Doorbell Cameras

Popular options:

Ring Video Doorbell ($100-300)
Google Nest Hello ($180-230)
Arlo Essential ($150-200)
Eufy Video Doorbell ($160-200)

Benefits:

Video record deliveries
Real-time alerts
Two-way communication
Deterrent effect
Evidence if theft occurs

Effectiveness:

50%+ report reduced theft
Evidence for police reports
Neighborhood sharing features
Insurance documentation

Package Lockboxes

Bench/box types:

Yale Smart Delivery Box ($200+)
Landport Lockbox ($300+)
Package Guard ($150+)
BenchSentry ($400+)

Features to look for:

Size appropriate for typical packages
Weather resistant
Secure locking mechanism
Easy driver use
Notification integration

Smart Locks

For alternative delivery:

Enable in-garage delivery
Temporary access codes
Remote monitoring
Activity logging

Popular options:

August Smart Lock ($200+)
Schlage Encode ($250+)
Yale Assure ($200+)
myQ garage controller ($30+)

Package Notification Systems

Apps and services:

Informed Delivery (USPS)
UPS My Choice
FedEx Delivery Manager
Amazon delivery notifications
Aggregators (Parcel, Package Buddy)

What to Do If Package Is Stolen

Immediate Steps

Check with household: Confirm no one has it

Check with neighbors: May have received it

Review delivery photo: Verify delivery location

Check hiding spots: Drivers sometimes hide

Reporting Process

Contact seller/retailer:

Report theft immediately
Request replacement/refund
Provide order details
Follow their process

File police report:

Report to local police
Get report number
May be required for claims
Helps track patterns

Report to carrier:

USPS: File claim online
UPS: Start claim process
FedEx: Online claim
Amazon: Report in app

Claims and Refunds

Carrier claims:

Insurance coverage varies
Proof required
Processing time varies
May require police report

Retailer policies:

Many replace without question
Some require investigation
Policy varies by value
Repeat claims flagged

Legal Considerations

Federal Law

Mail theft (USPS):

Federal crime
Up to 5 years prison
$250,000 fine
Serious prosecution

State Laws

Increasing penalties:

Many states increasing penalties
Porch piracy specific laws
Felony thresholds lowered
Organized theft targeting

Recent Legislation

Package theft bills:

STOP Act proposals
State-level action
Increased penalties
Enhanced enforcement

Community Solutions

Neighborhood Watch

Package-focused programs:

Alert neighbors of deliveries
Watch for suspicious activity
Share camera footage
Coordinate schedules

Shared Delivery Points

Community lockers:

Apartment complexes
HOA installations
Community centers
Shared cost

Neighborhood apps:

Nextdoor alerts
Ring Neighbors feature
Community Facebook groups
Local crime reporting

Business Delivery Solutions

Workplace Delivery Programs

Benefits:

Secure delivery location
Immediate notification
No porch time
Convenient for employees

Implementation:

Dedicated receiving area
Employee notification system
Clear pickup process
Volume management

Apartment and Multi-Family

Property solutions:

Package lockers
Package rooms
Concierge services
Smart access systems

Popular locker providers:

Parcel Pending
Luxer One
Amazon Hub
Fetch Package

Future of Secure Delivery

Emerging Technologies

What's coming:

Autonomous delivery to secure location
Smart trunk delivery
Drone to backyard delivery
Facial recognition confirmation

Carrier Innovations

New services:

More photo confirmation
Enhanced delivery instructions
Neighborhood delivery points
Time-specific guarantees

Infrastructure Development

Growing solutions:

Public locker networks
Retail partnership expansion
Last-mile delivery hubs
Urban delivery solutions

Prevention Checklist

For Shoppers

[ ] Sign up for carrier tracking accounts
[ ] Enable delivery notifications
[ ] Choose secure delivery location when possible
[ ] Install doorbell camera or security camera
[ ] Consider package lockbox
[ ] Coordinate with neighbors
[ ] Retrieve packages promptly
[ ] Use signature requirement for valuable items

For Sellers

[ ] Offer delivery alternatives
[ ] Use discreet packaging
[ ] Provide tracking prominently
[ ] Include delivery instructions option
[ ] Insure high-value shipments
[ ] Have clear theft/loss policy
[ ] Respond quickly to theft reports

Key Takeaways

It's a real problem: Millions affected, billions in losses

Prevention works: Simple steps reduce risk significantly

Technology helps: Cameras and lockers are effective

Alternatives exist: Many secure delivery options available

Sellers can help: Packaging and options matter

Community matters: Neighbors helping neighbors

Package theft is frustrating but preventable. By combining secure delivery options, technology, and community awareness, both shoppers and sellers can significantly reduce the risk of porch piracy.