Package Theft Prevention: Protecting Your Deliveries

Package Theft Prevention Starts Here

Most of us have been there. You get the delivery notification while you’re out, and suddenly you’re racing home hoping your package is still sitting on the porch. Most of the time it is, and that relief is real. But package theft is becoming more common as online shopping continues to grow, and that worry shouldn’t be part of every delivery.

Package theft isn’t about sophisticated criminals targeting your home. It’s usually a crime of opportunity. Someone sees an easy target and takes it. The good news? Most package theft can be prevented with some simple strategies that don’t require a security overhaul.

Why Package Theft Happens

Package thieves, often called “porch pirates,” are looking for easy wins. They’re not casing your neighborhood for weeks. They’re driving through, spotting boxes on doorsteps, and grabbing what they can before anyone notices.

Here’s what makes a package an easy target:

Visibility from the street. If a delivery driver can see it, so can a thief.

Predictable delivery times. Mid-morning to early afternoon when most people are at work.

No visible security. No cameras, no doorbell, no signs that anyone’s paying attention.

High traffic areas. Busy neighborhoods where someone walking up to a porch doesn’t look suspicious.

The typical porch pirate isn’t a professional thief. They’re opportunistic, often teens or people looking for quick resale items. That’s why simple deterrents work surprisingly well.

Delivery Tactics That Work

Before you buy any equipment, start with smarter delivery choices. These cost nothing and can dramatically reduce your risk.

Delivery Instructions

Most delivery services let you add special instructions. Use them. Be specific:

“Leave packages behind the planter on the left side of the porch.”

“Deliver to side door, not front door.”

“Place packages inside the screen door.”

Drivers appreciate clear directions, and it gets your packages out of plain sight.

Require Signatures

For valuable items, require a signature. Yes, it’s less convenient. You might need to pick it up at a facility or wait until you’re home. But for electronics, jewelry, or anything over a certain dollar amount, the inconvenience is worth it.

Most carriers let you set signature requirements when you order, or you can set standing delivery preferences with your carrier account.

Use Alternate Delivery Locations

Many retailers and carriers now offer alternatives to home delivery:

In-store or locker pickup. Amazon Lockers, FedEx locations, UPS Stores, and many retailers let you pick up at their location instead of home delivery.

Workplace delivery. If your employer allows it, having packages sent to work eliminates porch exposure entirely.

Neighbor or trusted location. If you have a trusted neighbor who’s home during the day, ask if they’d accept deliveries for you.

These options take planning, but they’re foolproof against porch theft.

Delivery Time Windows

Some services let you choose or narrow delivery windows. If you can be home during a specific window, schedule your deliveries then. You can bring packages inside immediately.

Amazon, for example, offers evening delivery in some areas. UPS My Choice and FedEx Delivery Manager both let you reroute or reschedule deliveries.

Physical Solutions for Your Porch

If you receive regular deliveries and can’t always control timing, consider some physical protection.

Delivery Boxes and Lockboxes

A package lockbox is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a secure container on your porch where drivers can place packages. You unlock it when you get home.

How they work: Most use combination locks or smart locks. The driver places the package inside and closes the lid. The box locks automatically. You unlock it with your code or app.

What to look for:

• Weather resistance (rain, snow, heat)
• Size that fits your typical deliveries
• Anchor points to secure it to your porch or wall
• Easy access for delivery drivers

Limitations: Drivers aren’t required to use them. Some will, some won’t. It helps to add delivery instructions mentioning the box. Also, oversized packages won’t fit.

Options range from basic weather-resistant lockboxes with drop-box features where packages drop down into a compartment only you can access with a key (around $180), to simpler large capacity delivery boxes that keep packages out of view even without a lock (around $65). Even a non-locking box significantly reduces theft risk because thieves are far less likely to walk onto your porch and open a container on the chance something might be inside, compared to grabbing an obvious package sitting in plain sight. You can browse more delivery box options to find what fits your porch size and budget. Prices typically range from around $65 to $400 depending on features and size.

Strategic Placement and Camouflage

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. If you have porch furniture, large planters, or a bench, ask drivers to place packages behind them.

You’re not trying to hide packages from drivers. You’re trying to hide them from the street. A package tucked behind a planter isn’t visible from the curb, and that removes the opportunistic temptation.

If your porch design allows it, a small privacy screen or lattice panel can create a hidden delivery zone that’s still accessible.

Package Decoys

Some people swear by decoy packages. These are fake boxes filled with something heavy (or something unpleasant, if you’re feeling creative). The idea is to waste a thief’s time and make your porch less appealing.

Does it work? It’s not one of my recommendations but some people swear by it.

I can however personally attest to the effectiveness of an unintentional decoy. Years ago, when I had three kids in diapers, I left a particularly nasty bag of biohazard on my front porch late one night, planning to take it to the trash in the morning. That night, before heading upstairs, I glanced out the small octagon window at the bottom of my stairs facing the front yard. Five teens were standing in my driveway, and one was slowly creeping toward my porch, squinting in the darkness to figure out what was on my porch.

I knew exactly what it was. I stood there grinning, watching him sneak up and grab the bag. As they started walking away, I couldn’t contain myself and burst out laughing. They must have heard me because they all sprinted off into the night. The bag was dropped when they ran, and I couldn’t help myself, I flung open the door and shouted “Wait, come back, you dropped it!” still laughing. I never did see those kids again.

If you want to see decoy packages taken to the extreme, check out Mark Rober’s Glitterbomb 3.0 vs. Porch Pirates video. It’s entertaining and oddly satisfying, even if most of us aren’t building NASA-level revenge devices.

The downside of intentional decoys is maintenance. You need to keep the decoy out there, and if a thief takes it, you need to replace it. But when it works, it definitely sends a message.

Cameras and Doorbells

We’ve covered video doorbells and security cameras in other guides, but they’re worth mentioning here because they’re one of the most effective deterrents for package theft.

Video Doorbells

A visible video doorbell sends a clear message: someone’s watching. Even if you’re not actively monitoring every delivery, thieves don’t know that.

Video doorbells also give you real-time alerts when someone approaches your door. You can see the delivery happen, and if someone else shows up after, you’ve got video evidence.

Most doorbell cameras have two-way audio. If you see someone suspicious on your porch, you can speak through the doorbell. A simple “Can I help you?” is often enough to send someone walking.

For more on choosing and using video doorbells, check out our Video Doorbells 101 guide.

Outdoor Security Cameras

If your porch isn’t covered by a doorbell camera, or if you want broader coverage, an outdoor camera aimed at your delivery area adds another layer of protection.

Position the camera so it clearly captures faces and any activity near your packages. Wide-angle lenses are helpful, but make sure the important area (your porch or delivery spot) is in focus.

Like doorbells, the visible presence of a camera is often enough to deter casual theft. For more detailed camera guidance, see our Home Security Camera Tips article.

Signage

A small sign indicating video surveillance can reinforce the deterrent. You don’t need anything dramatic. A simple “Video Surveillance in Use” or “Smile, You’re on Camera” is enough.

Some people worry that signs make them look paranoid. They don’t. They make you look prepared.

Smart Home Integration

If you’ve already invested in smart home devices, you can use them to monitor and protect deliveries.

Delivery Notifications

Most carriers offer delivery notifications via text or app. Turn them on. The moment a package is marked delivered, you’ll know about it.

Pair this with a smart doorbell or camera, and you can visually confirm the delivery and bring it inside quickly.

Smart Lighting

Motion-activated lights on your porch do double duty. They help delivery drivers see where they’re going, and they light up anyone approaching your door.

Thieves prefer working unnoticed. A porch that lights up when someone walks up is less appealing than a dark one.

For more on outdoor lighting, check out our Outdoor Lighting 101 guide.

Smart Locks with Delivery Access

Some smart locks, like those from Yale or August, integrate with delivery services like Amazon Key. With this setup, delivery drivers can unlock your door, place the package inside, and lock it behind them.

This isn’t for everyone. It requires trust in the system and the driver, and it only works with participating services. But if you’re comfortable with it, it’s the most theft-proof option available.

For more on smart locks, see our article Are Smart Locks a Smart Purchase?

What to Do If Your Package Is Stolen

Even with precautions, theft can still happen. Here’s what to do:

1. Confirm It Was Actually Delivered

Check your delivery notifications and tracking info. Sometimes packages are marked delivered but arrive later in the day, or they were delivered to a neighbor by mistake.

Walk around your property. Drivers sometimes leave packages in less obvious spots to keep them out of sight.

2. Contact the Seller First

Most online retailers have policies for stolen packages. Amazon, for example, will often refund or replace stolen items quickly.

Contact the seller, explain what happened, and ask about their policy. Many will resolve it immediately.

3. File a Police Report

Even if the police can’t recover your package, filing a report creates a record. This can help with insurance claims or disputes with the seller.

If you have video footage of the theft, provide it to the police. In some cases, serial package thieves are caught because of video evidence from multiple homes.

4. Contact Your Credit Card Company

If the seller won’t help and the charge was significant, your credit card company might. Many credit cards offer purchase protection or fraud coverage that can apply to stolen deliveries.

5. Check Your Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance

Stolen packages are considered theft, and they may be covered under your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. Check your policy and consider filing a claim if the value is high enough to justify it after your deductible.

Long-Term Prevention

Package theft prevention isn’t about one perfect solution. It’s about layers. The more obstacles you create, the less appealing your porch becomes to opportunistic thieves.

Start simple:

• Add delivery instructions to keep packages out of sight
• Turn on delivery notifications so you can act quickly
• Consider a video doorbell if you don’t have one

If theft is a recurring problem in your area, add more layers:

• Install a package lockbox
• Add or improve outdoor lighting
• Set up camera coverage aimed at your delivery area

You don’t need every solution. Pick the ones that fit your situation, your budget, and your level of risk.

The goal isn’t to become a fortress. It’s to stop being the easy target.

Final Thoughts

Package theft is frustrating, but you can lower your risk factors. Most thieves are looking for easy opportunities, not challenges. By making your deliveries slightly harder to steal, you make your home far less appealing.

Start with the free and easy tactics like delivery instructions and alternate locations. Layer in cameras or lockboxes if you need more security. And remember, visible deterrents work because they send a message: this porch isn’t worth the risk.

Your packages are worth protecting, but the effort doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A few smart choices can make all the difference.