Stop Package Theft
The delivery photo shows your package on the porch. You get home: no package. Porch pirates follow delivery trucks and strike in seconds, and a doorbell camera alone just films the crime. Stopping theft means breaking the chain — the package should never sit visible and unattended in the first place.
TL;DR / Quick Fix
Quick fix: the best defense against porch pirates is removing the porch from the equation — send packages to a locker, pickup point, or your workplace. If home delivery is the only option, add delivery instructions, require a signature, and install a visible doorbell camera, which deters most opportunistic thieves.
Follow these steps
- Reroute to lockers or pickup points. Amazon, UPS, and FedEx all offer free locker and counter pickup. The package waits behind a code instead of on your porch — this single change ends most theft.
- Use your workplace address. If your employer allows it, ship there. A staffed mailroom beats any porch, and someone signs for it.
- Add delivery instructions. Notes like 'leave behind the side gate' or 'with neighbor at number 4' keep packages out of street view. Drivers do read them when the option exists.
- Require a signature for valuables. Signature confirmation forces a handoff instead of a drop. It costs a little extra and is worth it for anything you cannot afford to lose.
- Install a visible camera. A doorbell camera deters opportunistic thieves even if it cannot stop a determined one. Pair it with a sign — perceived risk does the work. And watch for redelivery scam texts that exploit delivery anxiety.
- Track and be home for the window. Turn on delivery alerts and arrange to be home — or have someone collect it — during the delivery window. Speed of retrieval is the final defense.
What NOT to do
- Do not leave 'hide it under the mat' instructions. Thieves check the obvious spots first — that note helps them, not you.
- Do not confront a thief in person. Property is replaceable; a confrontation over a package is never worth the risk.
- Do not assume a camera prevents theft. It records and deters — prevention comes from the package not being there.
- Do not click tracking links from unknown texts. Missed-delivery scams spike around real orders — verify in the carrier's own app. See package scams for the common tricks.
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if a package is stolen?
Report it to the carrier and the seller immediately — most replace or refund stolen orders. File a police report for the record; it helps with claims.
Are parcel lockers really free?
Yes, for the major carriers. You get a pickup code by text or email, and the locker holds the package for several days.
Will a 'beware of dog' sign help?
A visible camera plus signage deters casual thieves. Determined ones are stopped only by the package not being on the porch.