The pandemic has led to a phenomenal surge in online shopping which means that home deliveries of goods from groceries to electronics and other items has skyrocketed. Of course, this has also led to an increase on thefts of home-delivered items which are not well secured or hidden. These thieves are commonly known as “porch pirates.”
Homeowner Associations with multiple families, especially those with open common areas, can be easy targets as neighbors might not take notice of someone approaching your home. With the holidays approaching and so many packages being delivered, porch pirates have easy pickings. We at Del Val wanted to give you some tips on how to avoid falling victim to these thieves.
- Try to schedule deliveries of electronics and other valuable items for times when you will be home or can have someone like a friend or relative at home to keep an eye out for them. Ask a neighbor to bring in your packages if they will be home when you are not.
- Keep an eye on tracking of your packages. Amazon, Fed-Ex, and UPS as well as other companies provide a link to see where a package is and when it will be out for delivery. You can also register with the US Post Office’s Informed Delivery system. By doing so, you will receive an email every morning showing all of your mail, letters and packages, which are scheduled for delivery that day.
- If you are at home when you expect a package and have a storm door, lock the storm door, and keep the inner door open. Most thieves will not approach a home where they might be readily seen through the storm door and there is a greater chance that the delivery person will knock at your door to alert you of the delivery.
- Another option that many shippers provide is to have the items delivered to a shipping locker, many of which are located in retail or convenience stores. Personal delivery lockers or vaults can also be purchased and secured on your porch or property.
- Lastly, recording devices such as ring cameras can serve as deterrents to many thieves and will also alert you when a delivery is made.
One final note for all homeowners is to be aware of anyone who seems to be lurking around your neighborhood and alert the authorities of suspicious activity.
The Del Val Property Management family wish you and your families a very safe and happy holiday season.