The holidays are the perfect time to spend with your loved ones and share gifts. But, if you’re not careful, porch pirates can ruin all of your holiday cheer. Luckily, with a few preventative measures, keeping gifts safe from porch pirates doesn’t have to be that difficult. Let’s take a look at how you can keep your gifts safe from porch pirates this holiday season:
Try ship-to-store Option If You Can
For a simpler solution, you can opt for ship-to-store. This way, you’re ensuring your gifts stay safe without the worry of not being able to find them after they arrive. Thankfully, many major retailers now offer a ship-to-store option, which makes it easier to get your items without having to wait for them to be delivered.
Keep track Once Shipped To You
It can be difficult to know when your order will arrive at your doorstep. To help ensure that no one steals your gifts, you should track to know when it is going to be delivered. This can be quite simple; all you have to do is take the tracking number for your shipment and update the status regularly so that you know exactly where things stand.
Consider a package receiving service
With a key or code, you can access safe package receiving places away from your home offered by several big-name companies, like Amazon. Some independent companies that specialize in this service even lets you choose a different delivery place and pick up your products on the way home.
If you live in New York City area, you can use the service from StoFly.Com with a small fee, and they will receive the package on your behalf at the location you choose. You can pick up your package later from that location.
Installing a video doorbell
The first and most important step in preventing porch pirates is installing a video doorbell. These devices are relatively inexpensive, and they’re designed specifically to take pictures of people who might be trying to steal your gift. Their main function is to capture evidence of potential porch pirates, which you can then use to file a police report. With this tool, you’ll have no problems getting evidence of the thief when they strike.
Install a security camera
A camera is a great way to keep an eye on the outside of your home. It can protect you from potential thieves. Instead of relying on your eyesight, a security camera will serve as an extra set of eyes to watch over your home.
In addition to being able to monitor the outside of your home while you’re away this holiday season, a security camera can also help deter potential thieves and help catch some porch pirates in the act. As a result, having one installed around your property this holiday season will offer peace of mind that no one is lurking nearby and could strike at any moment.
Work with your neighbors
It’s a good idea to get to know your neighbors. If you live in a gated community or near a busy road, it’s important to be friends with everyone on your block so that they can observe potential porch pirates and let you know if something is amiss.
If you don’t live in close proximity to someone, you should still take the time to reach out and make some friends—you never know when someone will be able to help you in the future.
Have your packages held
The first and most important thing you can do to protect your gifts from porch pirates is to have them held at the post office. This way, no matter what happens, your will get your packages.
Request signature confirmation
Acquaintances and friends will often be willing to help you with your errands. Asking for a signature confirmation is a simple way to ensure that they are delivered to a person and not left unattended. Additionally, requesting this specific sign-off has been shown to reduce risks associated with porch piracy.
Choose your delivery time
Sometimes there may be an option for choosing the delivery time. You may keep your gifts safe from porch pirates by choosing your delivery time wisely so that you can be there to receive the package when it is delivered.
What to do if you’re a victim of porch pirates
If you’ve already been a victim of porch pirates and want to get your package back, call the police and follow their instructions.!
If you are an individual who has purchased a product online, make sure to contact the company that you ordered from. They should be able to figure out if your package was stolen and help you take care of the situation. In most cases, they will re-ship the items to you or will give you money back if the items are not available anymore.
If a package is stolen from your porch, don’t assume that it’s an accident or an isolated incident. Make sure to report it to the police and file a claim with your delivery company/vendor/insurance company.
It’s always a good idea to record the details of any incident and keep copies of any paperwork that was involved. If anything does happen again, you will have everything in writing.