Christmas is only days away and Santa’s elves have been very busy delivering holiday packages. Online shopping continues to increase in popularity thanks to its convenience, competitive pricing and shipping deals. Packages pepper front porches throughout neighborhoods and are ripe for the picking by porch pirates. According to a 2019 study by the New York Times, 1.7 million packages are stolen each day.
A similar study by YourLocalSecurity.com found some staggering statistics:
- 70% of Americans don’t see the importance of requiring a signature
- 73% believe their front porch is a safe place for package deliveries
- 74% of packages were stolen from the front porch during the day while homeowner’s away
So, what can you do to protect yourself from the porch pirates and prevent sad faces this holiday?
- Track your packages – we live in the digital age and tracking packages is easy as clicking a link. The USPS, FedEx and UPS all have methods available to track from retailer to doorstep.
- Have your package delivered to your office – This is a tried and trusted method to keep packages safe, however some companies do not allow personal deliveries to the office. If this is the case, try changing the delivery date for when you will be home. FedEx & UPS will hold your package for pickup at one of their facilities or stores.
- Amazon Prime members can use Key Smart Lock Kit
This Amazon service allows you to remotely unlock your door so that the package can be delivered inside rather than leaving it outside.
What should you do if your package goes missing?
If you have confirmation – a text, an email, etc – saying your goods were delivered but you can’t find them, report it to the police. You can also follow up with the delivery service:
- USPS after you wait 7 business days, you can then file a Missing Mail Search Request
- FedEx has an online form for missing packages
- UPS prefers you to contact the sender to start a claim
Bottom Line – if at all possible, do not have packages delivered when no one is home to claim it. If you find you will be out of town when packages are to be delivered, Shield Home Watch can help. We offer package delivery receipt and keyholder service as part of our Home Watch Suite of Services. We’re there when you can’t be.
Call us at (941) 735-4405 or visit Shield Home Watch to learn about home watch, key holding service, concierge services, and more. If you would like to book an appointment 24 hours a day please visit our booking site.
Nicholas Lemmon is the founder of Shield Home Watch in Bradenton, FL, and a certified project management professional with over a decade of operational leadership experience. With a background in healthcare, real estate, and property oversight, Nicholas specializes in protecting high-value homes through proactive home watch, concierge, and commercial property services. He is committed to delivering peace of mind to clients across Manatee and Sarasota Counties through a blend of personalized care and smart technology. Accredited member of the National Home Watch Association.