Effective Package Theft Prevention Methods for Your Home

With over 1.7 million packages stolen in the US alone last year, it's clear that package theft is a serious issue.

Installing a smart doorbell with a camera can help deter thieves and provide valuable evidence if a theft does occur.

Many homeowners are turning to in-home package delivery and storage solutions to keep their packages safe. These services can store packages in a secure location, such as a garage or closet, until the homeowner is available to receive them.

According to the article, nearly 30% of package thefts occur on the front porch, making it essential to have a secure place to store packages.

Keeping a close eye on your front porch can make a big difference in preventing package theft. A security camera or video doorbell can help you monitor your property from anywhere and record any suspicious activity.

In fact, 21 percent of Americans who had a package stolen in the previous year installed a video doorbell in response to the theft. This suggests that visible cameras can be a deterrent for potential porch pirates.

Some security cameras, like the Logitech Circle View Doorbell and Arlo Essential security camera, can even detect the presence of packages. This feature can require a monthly fee, depending on the brand and model.

You can check out our ratings of over 150 wireless security cameras and video doorbells, which Consumer Reports has tested individually.

Installing a video doorbell can be a great way to protect your home from package theft. 21 percent of Americans who had a package stolen in the previous year installed a video doorbell in response to the theft.

Some video doorbells, such as the Logitech Circle View Doorbell and Arlo Essential security camera, can even detect the presence of packages. This feature can require a monthly fee, depending on the brand and model.

You can also consider investing in a porch lockbox, which can provide an additional layer of security for your packages. High-quality lockboxes can easily cost hundreds of dollars, but they might be worth it if you often receive valuable packages.

A mailbox sensor is another useful tool for preventing package theft. It's a small device that attaches to your mailbox and notifies you when it's been opened, giving you more immediate information about your deliveries.

Surveillance cameras can also be effective in deterring package theft, providing a visual deterrent to potential thieves and capturing evidence if a theft occurs.

Amazon Key, a service offered to Amazon Prime members in select areas, allows delivery drivers to access your garage and leave packages safely inside. This can be a game-changer for those who are frequently away from home during delivery times.

You can sign up for Amazon Key if you have a Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage Control or a Genie Aladdin Connect Wi-Fi RetroFit Kit, which will cost you $30 or $60 respectively. Pairing one of these devices with your garage door motor allows an Amazon courier to open and close your garage door via a smartphone.

Amazon Key also lets you connect a Ring video doorbell or security camera to capture video of the delivery. However, this service requires an Amazon Prime membership, and Key In-Garage deliveries used to be free but now cost $2 per delivery unless you set up an Amazon Day with Key preferred delivery day.

Walmart+ InHome is another option that allows couriers to leave packages inside your home. This service is available to existing Walmart+ members who can upgrade to an InHome membership for an additional $7 per month or $40 per year. There are no delivery fees if your order totals $35 or more.

You can sign up for Walmart+ InHome if you have a Chamberlain garage door opener, which will allow the couriers to open and close your garage door. However, it's worth noting that Walmart+ InHome garage delivery doesn't work with security cameras the way Amazon Key does.

Traditional methods like surveillance cameras, secure package rooms, and lockers (both traditional and smart) were among the first to emerge as solutions to prevent package theft.

These methods were particularly effective in early stages of package delivery growth.

Surveillance cameras can be an effective deterrent, but they require proper monitoring to be useful.

Traditional measures to prevent package theft have been around for a while. They include surveillance cameras, which can be an effective deterrent.

Secure package rooms have also been used to store packages safely. These rooms can be equipped with cameras and alarms to further prevent theft.

Traditional lockers and smart lockers are another option for secure package storage. They allow recipients to collect their packages at a convenient time.

In the early stages of package delivery growth, these traditional measures offered much-needed support. They have been widely adopted by businesses and individuals alike.

Surveillance cameras, secure package rooms, and lockers have been the go-to solutions for preventing package theft. They may not be foolproof, but they can certainly help reduce the risk of theft.

Fetch is changing the game of package management in multifamily by removing the package burden — and liability — from property managers.

Luanne McNulty, VP at ZRS Management, shared that the biggest selling point for her company is the removal of liability associated with managing residents’ packages.

Fetch is a direct-to-door delivery service designed by multifamily professionals.

Package rooms and package lockers can't fully respond to the security issue of unattended packages.

Lockers or package rooms just can't compete with all the services Fetch offers, as Emilie Bergman, Regional Property Manager, Greystar, experienced firsthand.

Fetch handles all aspects of package logistics, reducing the burden on staff and eliminating the need for additional security measures.

This streamlined process not only enhances security but also adds a layer of convenience and flexibility that traditional methods lack.