What To Do If Your Package Gets Stolen This Holiday Season
Combat porch pirates and celebrate a safe holiday season with Arlo.
Combat porch pirates and celebrate a safe holiday season with Arlo.
The holiday season is a time for giving, decorating real Christmas trees or artificial trees, stringing festive indoor and outdoor lights, and spending extra time with family and friends. Unfortunately, it is also the season when porch pirates strike the most. According to a recent study from C+R Research, 37% of the surveyed Americans know someone who’s had a package stolen during the holidays. If you end up on the wrong side of this statistic, you may be wondering what to do.
What should you do if your holiday package is stolen from your front porch? You should check your tracking number, contact the shipping company, and file a claim if you don’t hear back.
Here’s our holiday safety guide for what to do if your package is stolen.
Take a moment to check your surroundings. Sometimes, delivery drivers may leave the package hidden to protect it from theft or to shield it from the weather. Look behind plants, under porch furniture, or in any other nooks and crannies near your doorstep. Double-check with your family or roommates to make sure they didn’t bring your package inside. Also, consider talking to neighbors, as the delivery driver may have left your package with them.
If your package is marked as delivered but is nowhere to be seen, contact the delivery company’s customer service. They might be able to give you information about the delivery or confirm if there has been a mistake. Occasionally, packages show as delivered, but are still in transit. For this reason, you may want to wait one business day or two after letting them know the package is missing. Carriers like UPS and FedEx let you schedule or change a residential delivery date—just make sure to sign up for alerts or delivery notifications to take advantage of package monitoring.
If the package was delivered but it’s nowhere to be seen, get in touch with the seller or retailer. They can help track the order or initiate a replacement or refund if the package is indeed stolen. For this, you’ll want to have your tracking number or your order number at hand. If they refuse to help, you can always file a claim.
If it becomes clear that your package was stolen, don’t hesitate to report the incident to the police or file a claim with the shipping company. Having an official record of the theft can be helpful to prove your case to the seller or the shipping company. Security footage from the theft can be useful for identifying the thieves. Consider installing a security camera like the Arlo Pro 5S 2K Wireless Security Camera, with 2K HDR Video and Color Night Vision.
Some credit card companies offer free theft insurance. Depending on your credit card’s policies, you may be eligible for protection, which could cover stolen items. Contact your credit card company or your bank to learn about the available options.
Between shopping and cooking food for your celebrations, it can be tough to notice a delivered package at your front door. So, if your package is going to sit on your porch, preventing porch pirates is crucial. Here are 3 handy tips for preventing your packages from being stolen.
One effective way to deter porch pirates is by installing a video doorbell. Options like the 2nd Generation Arlo 2nd Gen Video Doorbell provide real-time notifications, Night Vision and motion detection. With HD or 2K Video and 2-Way Audio, you can clearly see and interact with anyone at your doorstep—even when you’re not at home.
By installing a video doorbell, you’ll always know when a package has been delivered. Thanks to noise canceling 2-Way Audio, you could tell the delivery driver, right on the spot, to hide the package or to leave it with your neighbor. Or, if you catch the porch pirate in action, you can talk to them and warn them the police are on their way.
If the package has been delivered, just use motion detection to protect it. If unwanted porch pirates arrive at your home, an Integrated Siren will sound to scare them away. Pro tip: You can also schedule your delivery for when you’re home or even ask your local Post Office to hold your mail during your time away.
An outdoor security camera can be useful for protecting your entire property—not only your packages. Options like the Arlo 2nd Gen Essential Wireless Security Camera feature 1080p or 2K video capture, motion detection, and an Integrated Spotlight. With a 130° Field of View and Night Vision, you’ll have a clear view of your package at any time—and of anyone who may want to steal it.
If you’re going on an extended vacation, think about getting a security camera with a high battery capacity. Consider options like the Arlo 2nd Gen Essential XL Wireless Security Camera, with four times more battery life. It stays charged longer, allowing you to keep an eye on your property for extended periods. Live in an apartment? You can always request delivery drop off to the management office if the package delivery section of your building has heavy foot traffic. Explore camera options for your apartment to keep an eye on deliveries remotely.
If you receive packages frequently, consider investing in a fire resistant, lockable delivery box. These secure mailboxes can be placed on your porch, and delivery drivers can securely place your packages inside. Only you or someone you trust can retrieve the contents, ensuring your packages are safe from porch pirates.
This holiday season, enjoy peace of mind with Arlo security cameras, video doorbells, and home security system. Don’t let porch pirates steal your joy when you leave the house. ‘Tis the season to protect your packages and stay safe with Arlo.
