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Package Theft Prevention Tips
5 Min Read
Written by: Zara Mohamed
I think we can all agree: online shopping is great. There’s nothing like purchasing from the convenience of your own home. You can compare prices, read reviews, and find exactly what you’re looking for. Let’s not forget that rush of excitement when your package is delivered.
Packages are typically delivered to a lobby area near the entrance to the building, or sometimes right outside your apartment door. But what if you discover that your package is missing? When you tracked your package delivery with your provided tracking number, it said it was placed at your door – but it isn’t there. You might be a victim of package theft, your delivery stolen away by a “porch pirate” or package thieves.
Apartment Buildings Are Especially Vulnerable
Unfortunately, package theft is common, especially as we near the holiday season. Our FOI request to police forces across the UK found that reported parcel theft has increased by almost 300% since 2019 with the highest numbers reported in November and December.
It’s all too tempting for “porch pirates” or package thieves to swipe your purchases from your doorstep. Nothing is stopping them.
Package Theft by The Numbers
Let’s check out some statistics on parcel theft.
- 35% are more worried about parcel theft now than 3 years ago
- The average reported value of a stolen parcel is over £115 (rising to over £1100 in City of London)
- 5.5 million parcels are stolen each year
- The most common time for thefts to occur is between 9am and 5pm
As you can see, package security is a significant problem. If you are the property manager of an apartment building, you’ve likely dealt with missing package inquiries from your residents or even reports of a porch pirate in your area. You might be feeling helpless as to what you can do. Don’t worry; we have solutions for you to help prevent package theft.
How to Seek Package Theft Remediation
If a resident has noticed a missing package, here are some steps they can take to determine if it was stolen:
- Call residential services to find out if the package was delivered elsewhere.
- Confirm that the correct address was used during the purchase.
- Check any available surveillance.
Once it’s been confirmed that the lost package was likely due to theft:
- File a claim with the police.
- Report the stolen package to the seller and ask for redelivery.
- If the seller doesn’t help, contact the carrier for assistance.
While these steps can remedy theft, theft prevention is a much better alternative. Fortunately, there are prevention measures available. Read on for some tips on how to prevent package theft.
Package Theft Prevention Tips
Porch pirates are prevalent because there is little security standing in their way. Thus, a secure package delivery system revolves around increasing security for the best forms of package theft prevention.
#1 Intercept Packages in Person
One way to ensure that packages won’t be stolen is to intercept them in person. Recommend that residents stay home during their scheduled delivery time. If this isn’t possible, they can ship packages to a workplace or a family member’s home.
However, if you are the owner or operator of an apartment community, this solution might leave residents feeling like they have to fend for themselves. Since shipping to a home address is preferable to 92% of people, you want to make this a viable option.
#2 Install Video Surveillance
Installing security cameras, like ones attached to a doorbell, might be your best solution when trying to incorporate more package theft protection. A lot of security camera options, nowadays, are considered smart doorbells, where they even connect to a mobile app! In addition to these cameras, we’ve all seen those signs that say, “Smile, You’re on Camera!” There’s something about knowing you’re being watched through a security camera that changes a thief’s behaviour.
In the case of porch pirates, it may be enough to stop thieves in their tracks from stealing. No one likes being caught red-handed.
As a landlord, you can invest in apartment-wide video surveillance. Make sure these surveillance cameras are made known to potential thieves. If stealing takes place, you can catch the person responsible. In turn, your residents will appreciate the increased security measures.
Unfortunately, security cameras do not deter all criminals who simply hide their faces and grab any opportunity to access packages – tailgating, or even posing as couriers themselves.
#3 The Best Solution: Smart Lockers
The most comprehensive solution to preventing package theft is installing smart lockers (also known as an electronic locker). Smart lockers secure packages until your residents are ready to pick them up. The carrier simply places packages in apartment package lockers, and then notifications are automatically sent to the residents’ phone. They can rest easy knowing their package is safe and sound thanks to this smart home security solution.
Since most package theft occurs when residents aren’t home, smart lockers (or parcel lockers) eliminate any vulnerability. According to the Shorr study, 71% of people said they’d be comfortable having their packages delivered to secure lockers, rather than their doorstep.
Parcel Pending Smart Lockers: A One-Time Investment
Parcel Pending provides a cost-effective, theft prevention solution. Our smart lockers are an investment that will pay out in dividends. Not only do they protect against theft, but they also automate the sorting and delivery process. This smart home security option can save your staff over 24 hours a week of labour.
Parcel Pending’s smart lockers offer:
- Centralised, secure package storage
- Automated package sorting
- Customisable design
- API integrations
- Improved resident satisfaction
As a landlord or property manager, you can eliminate the tasks associated with package sorting and package theft remediation with smart lockers. Most importantly, you’ll improve resident satisfaction. Parcel Pending’s lockers have been shown to increase lease renewals by 40%!
Outsmart Porch Pirates Once and For All
Now that you understand the pervasive problem of package theft, it’s time to take action. Secure your apartment building by installing Parcel Pending smart lockers. They are the best overall package theft prevention solution available.
Sources:
- Invesp. Buy Online Pick Up In Store – Statistics and Trends [Infographic].
https://www.invespcro.com/blog/buy-online-pick-up-in-store-bopis/ - Insurance Quotes. How to Keep Porch Pirates and House Fires From Making Your Holidays Hazardous.
https://www.insurancequotes.com/home/porch-pirates-package-thieves-house-fires-holiday-120117 - Shorr Packaging Corporation. THE 2017 PACKAGE THEFT REPORT: PORCH PIRATES, PURCHASE HABITS, AND PRIVACY.
https://www.shorr.com/packaging-news/2017-05/2017-package-theft-report-porch-pirates-purchase-habits-and-privacy - Parcel Pending. Multifamily Package Lockers.
https://www.parcelpending.com/en-us/markets/multifamily-parcel-lockers/
