Buzz
The holiday season brings pie, eggnog, biting your tongue instead of saying “OK boomer” to your parents, and unfortunately, package theft. It’s a classic mix of joy and stress. Package theft becomes a predictable part of the season, particularly in November and December, when online shopping peaks for gift-giving.
According to a survey from home security company Cove, last year, the average person had around two packages stolen out of the 76 they received. A surprising 7.2% of respondents reported a stolen package in September and October, but by December, that number jumped to 37%.
Perhaps you’ve already made it to your holiday destination and don’t have time to set up security cameras or a smart doorbell. It’s always possible that an unexpected package arrives after you’ve left, whether it’s delayed, a forgotten pre-order, or even a surprise gift! While surprises are great, they’re always better when you’re there to receive them.
Here are some tips to help reduce the likelihood of your packages being stolen while you’re away.
Keep an eye on your package shipments
According to a survey by review platform Clutch, about a third of missing packages aren’t taken by porch pirates—they’re simply lost along the delivery route. Once you’ve placed your order, make it a habit to monitor the tracking information as the delivery date nears. If your package gets stuck somewhere between the retailer and your door, you’ll have a clearer idea of where the hold-up happened.
If your package is marked as ‘delivered’ but isn’t visible, a porch pirate might be responsible. However, the issue could also be a mistake on the carrier’s part. Look at the delivery notice for details on where exactly the package was left. Some services even include a photo of the package’s drop-off spot. This happened to me recently: the photo showed a doorstep I didn’t recognize, which led to some back-and-forth with the retailer to have the package resent. While it was a hassle, both the retailer and I knew exactly where the delivery mishap occurred, avoiding any guesswork on what went wrong.
Consider an alternative delivery location
It’s now easier than ever to pick up your packages from a secure location, but if you’ve never used these services before, the options might be a bit overwhelming. Here are a few choices you may encounter at checkout:
Amazon
Amazon Lockers are available in over 900 cities, with locations ranging from 7-Eleven stores to GNC outlets and even the lobbies of some apartment buildings. Packages delivered to Amazon Lockers are available for pickup for up to three business days before being returned to Amazon (with a refund). Need extra time? Amazon also offers Hub Counters at Rite Aid locations, where you can pick up your package within 14 days.
FedEx
FedEx packages can be picked up at various locations, including FedEx Office, Walgreens, Dollar General, Office Depot, Walmart, and Kroger, among others. You can either have your package shipped directly to one of these pickup points or change the delivery location while the package is still en route. Redirected packages are held for up to five days.
UPS
You can pick up your UPS-delivered package from locations such as The UPS Store, CVS, or Michael’s. If your package is already en route to your home, you can redirect it to an Access Point. UPS is even offering a reward program this holiday season, allowing you to earn a Target gift card worth up to $15.
USPS
This service requires a bit more planning and is available at fewer locations compared to UPS and FedEx. The U.S. Postal Service offers GoPost lockers at select locations, letting you pick up packages at your convenience. You’ll need to register for a free account before sending packages, as you’ll be required to provide a special shipping address for the GoPost location you choose.
Hold your mail
A lot of packages are delivered through the reliable U.S. Postal Service. If you're traveling during the holidays, avoid coming back to a mailbox overflowing with junk mail, which signals to porch pirates that your home is vulnerable. Submit a mail hold request until you return. When you do get back, you’ll receive all your mail (mostly junk) and your packages, all safe and sound.
Ask a friend or neighbor for help
If you have good relationships with your neighbors or nearby friends, asking them to watch over your home is a simple and effective way to ensure packages already dropped off at your doorstep stay safe from thieves.
Just don’t make the mistake of leaving a spare key out, warns the security team at Master Lock. Thieves looking for packages are likely to be scouting for other opportunities to break into your empty home. A key under the mat? Too obvious. In a plastic “rock”? Not secure enough. Unless you plan to use a coded lockbox to secure your key, it’s not worth the risk of leaving it out where a thief could easily find it.
