Tips to prevent

Porch Pirates

 from stealing your packages

Package Theft Prevention Tips & Ideas

• REQUIRE A SIGNATURE – If you have to sign for your items, the packages cannot be left on the doorstep.  Instead, a note will be left letting you know the date they will try to make another delivery (or where you might be able to pick up the item instead).  If there’s nothing there, a porch pirate can’t steal it!

• WORK DELIVERY – If allowed, have your items delivered to your place of work.  It may be a bit more inconvenient to load up items and take them home, but at least they won’t be stolen!

• DELIVER TO FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER – If you know someone who is home during the day, you might ask to use their address for delivery.  That way, your package isn’t sitting on a doorstep at risk of being stolen. 

• NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH – If you know your neighbors, you can develop your own neighborhood watch.  Help one another by picking up packages you see outside and drop texts or emails to alert one another what you’ve done. That way, they are safe inside and won’t be grabbed by greedy thieves.    

• DESIGNATE SPECIFIC DELIVERY LOCATION – The USPS can allow you to authorize them to leave packages at locations other than the porch.  They could include a back door, side door, neighbor or even a garage.  To find out if this is an option, log into your account with USPS and enter your package tracking number.  If you can do this, you will be advised at that time.    

• USE AMAZON LOCKER – Amazon Locker is a service where your packages are routed to a locker drop off.  Once it is delivered, you are alerted and have 3 days to pick up your package at the designated site.
  • Amazon Locker:  Whole Foods, 5815 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque NM 87109  

• USE A SECURE MAILBOX SERVICE – Sign up for a P.O. Box at the post office or even a location such as the UPS Store.  You can have all the packages delivered to these locations and they will be held securely until you stop by and pick them up. 
  • There are fees associated with these services, but it may end up saving you money on those irreplaceable packages that risk being stolen.