Having packages shipped to your home while you are not there can be stressful. Even if you are present, there can be problems. For example, a package may be ruined when left out in poor weather. Or, commonly, thieves swoop in before you can grab the delivery. Stop letting this happen. Here are smart ways to protect your delivered packages.
The online shopping industry is booming!
Online shopping has grown exponentially over the years. Per CapitalOne Shopping, package thefts totaled 119 million in 2023. Collectively, Americans lost $13.4 billion to package theft and the average stolen package was worth $112.30. They also share that 33% of package theft victims have lost more than one parcel.
Where thefts are happening
If you think this problem only occurs in major cities, you are wrong. Statistics show that suburban consumers are 150% more likely to be victimized than urban residents and seven times more likely than rural dwellers.
So, what can people do about it? Here are five clever ways to protect your delivered packages.
- Leave special delivery instructions. American multi-national technology company Amazon permits customers to enter specific delivery instructions, such as please ring doorbell upon delivery or kindly leave package on the side porch. These instructions may help to ensure the security of the delivered package. Drivers will do their best to honor most delivery instructions. However, note that delivery instructions entered on Amazon accounts are only visible to drivers who work with Amazon.
- Track your orders. Many retailers offer options to track packages. This means customers can track orders throughout the entire shipping process to include delivery as the final phase. Using Amazon again as an example, the company provides helpful product statuses under Your orders. Click the track package button where up-to-date info can be found.
- Sign up for alerts. Companies offer numerous ways to check the status of deliveries and get alerts. For instance, the Amazon app on a cell phone can send push notifications. These are automated messages sent to users when an application such as a phone is not open. Folks can also set up Alexa alerts when an Amazon package is out for delivery. This is done using the Alexa app. Open the menu button on the upper left-hand corner, select settings, select shopping notifications, and turn the toggle to allow shipment notifications with Alexa. Then, using Alexa, just say, “Alexa, where’s my stuff?”
- Enhance your home security. Security cannot prevent thefts entirely, but it may dissuade thieves from stealing. To deter would-be thieves, place the camera where thieves enter the property as well as in the space where packages are typically left. When searching for home security cameras, select those which monitor properties in real-time, have motion detection features, and provide opportunities to record, check, and store footage.
- Count on your neighbors. Create a neighborhood group with local folks you trust to watch for deliveries. Neighbors can keep their eyes open for deliveries and help neighbors by grabbing their packages. It’s wise to establish a text thread to notify neighbors that their package was delivered and securely picked up.
- Direct your packages to a secure location. This is among the smartest of ways to keep your packages safe from weather and thefts. In your absence, rather than having packages sent to your home, send them to a work address. Or use Amazon Hub lockers or counters. Amazon hub lockers are secure self-service kiosks. Hub counters are secure pick-up points where customers can go to collect their packages. Each is designed to keep goods safe and make customers happy.
Good news or bad news first?
Here’s the bad news… theft of packages left outdoors is not uncommon. The good news is that folks are not defenseless. There are ways to safeguard deliveries. They include leaving special delivery instructions, tracking orders and signing up for alerts, enhancing home security and counting on your neighbors, and perhaps best of all – directing your packages to a secure location. Act today.
