6 Easy Steps to Stop Porch Pirates
They drive by and see a box. They park, slink out of the car, and steal the package. This is what porch pirates do.
Follow these 6 easy steps to stop porch pirates before they swipe your delivery.
1. Set Up a Ring Doorbell Camera
Here’s how Ring doorbell cameras work:
They send notifications to your mobile devices when there’s someone around your door.You can see the person and talk to them through your mobile device.These cameras work through your Wi-Fi.
Porch pirates should abandon ship when they see a camera at the front door. If there’s footage of them stealing, law enforcement will be after them.
It takes some technical know-how to set up a Ring doorbell camera. If you don’t feel comfortable with the installation, hire someone to do it or reach out to a tech-savvy friend.
2. Use a Package Drop Box on Your Porch
A package drop box is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a container set up to hold small and medium-sized packages. As a big plus, a lot of package drop boxes lock after a delivery is placed inside.
If you want a higher level of security, find a package drop box that bolts down. Most thieves won’t try to run off with a bulky bin, but you never really know what they’re thinking.
Make sure to provide instructions to delivery drivers. If they don’t know to look for the package drop box or how to access it, they won’t be able to use it.
Something else to keep in mind: really large deliveries won’t fit in most package drop boxes.
3. Ask for Signature Confirmation
When you request signature confirmation, someone has to sign for a delivery when it shows up. If no one is home, the package goes back into the truck.
4. Have Packages Go to Your Workplace
Before you pick this option, talk to your boss or the person who runs the mail room (or both).
They might say, “That’s cool. We’re happy to help!”
Or, they could say, “Once you have packages come in, everyone else will do it. And we don’t have enough people or space to deal with extra deliveries.”
Even if you get the green light, your timing has to be right. You could have packages show up on days you’re not working.
5. Direct the Delivery to a Relative
Do you have any family members who live nearby? They might be able to keep a closer watch on deliveries if you’re busy.
6. Ask a Neighbor
Are your neighbors retired? Or, do they work hours that let them check in every once in a while?
If it’s not too much trouble for them, ask them to watch for deliveries when you aren’t home. Repay their kindness with their favorite treats. Cookies should work!
After you take these steps, think about how you’re protecting the place where packages go: your home!
Your local, licensed Pekin Insurance agent will find the right home insurance at the right price for you.
