6 Effective Ways to Prevent Package Theft

Categories: Planning Residents

Published 11/26/2019

If your packages keep getting stolen or lost, it is high time you take some measures to stop package theft. Here are the top 6 ways proven useful to secure package delivery.

1. Use Smart Package Lockers or Convenience Store
To avoid your Amazon package being stolen from your front porch, use an Amazon Locker. Amazon allows you to pick up your delivery in Amazon Locker in selected locations across the country with a unique code, which you can punch into the machine to retrieve your package (See How to find an Amazon Locker near you).

Amazon lockers will be the safest and convenient place to secure your Amazon package. If your community does not have an Amazon Locker, and you are a frequent online shopper, use The UPS Store.

You can also check the availability of lockers in nearby convenience stores, Kiosks or buy your own digital locker like BoxLock to prevent package theft or share a locker with your neighbors or friends.

2. Have Packages Delivered to Your Workplace/Office
We have heard residents complaints about package thieves or bad neighbors sneaking around the street and looting drop-off deliveries, irresponsible mailman or carriers leaving packages on the front door without even knocking or ringing the door, pre-signing your delivery without your consent, or delaying home delivery by sending notifications too early.

One of the best ways to stop package theft is to have your package delivered to your office or friends' houses that you trust, leaving no opportunities for the porch pirates.

3. Require Signature on Delivery to Stop Package Theft
Many customers grumble about delivery man signing the unauthorized packages and leaving them wide open on the porch or doorstep, making them desirable for package snatcher. To prevent your package from being stolen off the front porch, side door, back porch, or garage area, ask for a Signature Delivery.


If your package is delivered by UPS/DHL/FedEx, consult your sender and require a delivery confirmation signature. Signature-required delivery should be strictly followed by couriers.

Did you know? If your package that demands delivery by YOUR signature was left unattended, or even worse, lost, because they didn't follow the protocol, delivery companies are liable to legal actions and you are entitled to a full refund or replacement.

4. Reroute or Reschedule Delivery to Prevent Package Theft
If you are not sure whether or not you are home from holiday to receive your package when the delivery truck pulls up to your front door, you can track shipment information either on package tracking app or order information in advance.

Both UPS and FedEx offer web apps to help reroute parcel to another address and reschedule your package delivery at your convenience for a fee, for example, FedEx's Delivery Manager, and UPS My Choice premium membership for $40 a year.

If you are using other delivery services, online shipment tracking information will be available. Notifying the driver in advance online when your package is due is reassuring.

5. Require Vacation Package Hold to Secure Package Delivery
Finally going away for holiday, you can place a hold on your package to prevent package theft. Many delivery companies such as USPS and FedEx offer a free service to uphold your package at their terminals or delivery centers for a period of time. To check FedEx Delivery Options for free online and free USPS Mail Holding Service here to apply for a package holiday hold online without worrying about lost package or package being stolen off the doorstep. While UPS will charge $5 for every package rescheduled or delivered to a UPS retail location on UPS My Choice.

6. Ensure Your Upcoming Packages
I bet you don't want to go through all the troubles to get your missing package back after an amazing holiday. So ensuring your precious holiday parcel, for example, Halloween costume, Thanksgiving gifts or Christmas packages in the first place will guarantee you a reimbursement if unfortunately your delivery was stolen or lost before you lay your hand on it. You can also find out more about What To Do If Your Package Was Stolen.