The problem with buying something online and having it delivered to your home is that even though the package gets to your doorstep, it still may not get into your hands.
Millions of packages are stolen from front porches or doorsteps each year, so if porch thieves are hitting your neighborhood, here are some things you can do to stop them:
Don’t do home delivery. Instead of allowing a delivery service to leave a package in front of your home, have it delivered to your workplace so that you can receive it in person. If your employer doesn’t allow this, check if the retailer or delivery service will send it to a business near your home.
UPS has a program called UPS Access Point, which allows you to have packages sent to a local business that UPS works with so that you can collect your package on your schedule. Along the same lines, Amazon has lockers at grocery stores and other businesses where customers can have items delivered to.
Get a large planter. If you’re going to have something delivered to your porch, block an area from being viewed from the street with a large planter or other big item that packages can be placed behind.
Say cheese. Install security cameras, motion detectors and a security system to take photos and videos of thieves. Put a sign up to warn people that they’re being filmed in front of your house.
Let deliveries in. Amazon Key and other delivery services allow a courier to alert the service when they’re ready to drop off your package, unlocking your door so that the package can be left inside. In order to take advantage of this feature, you’ll need a smart lock that can be accessed remotely, and pets will have to be secured so that they don’t escape or hurt the delivery person.
Put a lockbox on your porch. It may not seem like the most decorative item to put on your porch, but a company called Landport sells what it calls a “super-secure lockbox” for package deliveries. A secured delivery drop box that’s bolted to the ground, the lockbox has an electronic keypad that the delivery driver uses to enter a unique code to open the lid.
