One in five of Americans have already purchased home security cameras and 10% of Americans opt to spend even more money on top of what they’ve already spent to prevent package theft, CNET said.
Nick Wolny, a Los Angeles-based spokesperson with CNET, told FOX Business that some folks won’t take any action at all.
An Amazon Prime delivery person in a van is shown sorting packages in Queens, New York. There are smart tips to take to reduce the risk of porch piracy today. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Still, “even a little effort can help safeguard you from porch theft,” he said.
“Consider taking the time to know your options, so that if you need to have something delivered that is valuable and/or on a short time frame, you know what to do.”
Smart tips for reducing porch piracy risks
Leveraging location tracking status updates was the most-cited preventative strategy, with 32% of respondents incorporating this tactic, said CNET.
“This is good because it means consumers know where their items are, but it’s also not a foolproof strategy,” cautioned Wolny.
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“It just confirms to you that the shipper has done its job, not that your package will still be there when you get home from work.”
Using a security camera or video doorbell to deter thieves had the second-highest number of responses, at 21%, for preventative strategies.
The messaging around these devices is that they lower crime, “but there are conflicting data reports on this claim,” adds Wolny.
“Surveillance footage does help you file a successful claim in the event of theft.”
She said, “They can receive packages while you’re away from home, and you can safely pick them up from them when you return.”
She added that she’s “seen some neighbors pay a nominal fee per package to compensate the person’s willingness to receive and hold packages or do other neighborly swaps for babysitting, shoveling snow, etc.”
Use an app like Via Delivery that lets you choose from over 36,000 pickup locations across the country. This means you don’t have to worry about your package being left unattended, making it vulnerable to porch pirates.
A worker carries a large parcel at the United States Postal Service sorting and processing facility in Nov. 2021 in Boston. If you’re sending a package directly to a friend or family member, consider sharing the tracking info with them, one expert re (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File / AP Newsroom)
Track all of your orders through an app like Shop that lets you get delivery info in one place.
“I’ve been able to delay or cancel a delivery and have the package held for pickup when I got a notice that my package was on the way to my home when I wasn’t able to be there — especially if it’s a valuable item,” Edwards said.
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Also, if you’re sending a package directly to a friend or family member, Edwards recommends you share the tracking info with them.
That way, they can respond to drivers or change delivery schedules if they’re unable to be home when it arrives.
Filing a police report creates a footprint that can come in handy in later reimbursement efforts.
