Protect Your Holiday Packages

For millions, the holiday season is a time of joyful anticipation, marked by the frequent arrival of online orders.

Unfortunately, this surge in deliveries also creates a prime opportunity for “porch pirates” (thieves who steal packages from doorsteps).

Finding nothing but space where a gift should be can be infuriating and stressful. If it happens to you, or if you want to proactively shield your purchases, here is a crucial action plan and, most importantly, the single most effective preventative measure: using a secured delivery locker.

First Steps: If a Package Goes Missing

Before assuming theft, take a few logical steps. First, double-check the delivery confirmation. Amazon and other carriers often provide photos of where the package was left. Look thoroughly around your property, behind planters, in a garage, or with a neighbor. Carriers sometimes mark items as delivered before they actually arrive, so allow a 48-hour window.

If the package is truly missing, report it to the retailer immediately. Amazon has a straightforward process for reporting “non-receipt” through its “Your Orders” page. Most major retailers will issue a refund or a replacement, especially for first-time incidents. Their policies are generally customer-friendly, as they want to ensure your continued business.

Next, file a report with the delivery carrier (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.). They open investigations that can track delivery scans and driver details. While this may not recover your specific box, it provides a paper trail.

Finally, report the theft to your local police department. This is important for several reasons: it creates an official record for insurance purposes, helps police track crime patterns in your neighborhood, and is often required if you plan to file a claim with your homeowner's or renter's insurance for high-value items.

Proactive Defense: Deterring Future Theft

While reacting is necessary, prevention is far better. Consider these strategies:

• Delivery Instructions: Use the retailer’s or carrier’s app to provide specific instructions, like “leave in back porch shed.”

• Technology: Invest in a video doorbell or security camera. Visible cameras are a strong deterrent, and recorded evidence is invaluable for police.

• Neighbor Network: Use trusted neighbors. Apps like Amazon Key allow you to grant one-time access to your garage for a driver.

• Delivery Windows: If possible, schedule deliveries for times you know you’ll be home, or use “Amazon Day” to consolidate shipments into a single delivery.

The Ultimate Solution: Secure Delivery Lockers

For holiday shoppers who want near-total peace of mind, the most reliable solution is to bypass your porch entirely.

Amazon Hub Lockers (and similar services from other retailers) are self-service kiosks located in secure, staffed locations like grocery stores, convenience stores, and shopping centers.

Here’s why they are a game-changer, especially during the holidays:

1. Security: Your package is stored in a locked compartment until you retrieve it with a unique code. It’s inaccessible to passersby.
2. Convenience: Lockers are available 24/7 at many locations. You can pick up your order on your way home from work or during a routine errand.
3. Control: It eliminates the guessing game of delivery times. The package is simply held safely until you’re ready.

4. Discretion: Plain lockers offer no indication of what’s inside, unlike branded boxes on a doorstep.

Using them is simple. At checkout on Amazon, look for “Amazon Hub Locker” as a delivery option and select a location near you. Upon delivery, you’ll receive a pickup code.

Go to the locker, enter the code, and retrieve your item. For frequent shoppers, this habit virtually eliminates the risk of porch piracy.

The holiday season should be filled with cheer, not frustration over stolen gifts. By taking immediate action when theft occurs and adopting smart preventative habits - most notably, routing your valuable holiday orders to a secure locker - you can ensure your purchases reach you safely, keeping your holidays bright and secure.

There are always ways to protect what's yours and find more of what's yours. Your Next Dollar helps you notice the pieces you're missing that build the life you deserve and want.