A savvy woman fought back against porch pirates by mailing herself an Apple AirTag, leading to the capture of the thieves who had been stealing her mail.
Porch pirates are getting smarter – here's how to keep your packages safe
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are less than a week away, and I’m planning to finish up the rest of my shopping list. I’m also watching my deliveries and so should you.
Porch pirates are going all out to steal your stuff this year. One thief even disguised themself as a bag of trash to swipe someone’s orders. That’s pretty funny, but what’s next sure isn’t.
Pirates are hacking tracking numbers
Thieves are hacking into AT&T and FedEx records to watch tracking updates and swoop in on your packages minutes after they arrive. Apple iPhones are their No. 1 target, because AT&T doesn’t require a signature to deliver them. (I share how to change that below.)
Plenty of thieves just wait and watch or follow drivers and strike once the truck stops. The average gift stolen this year is worth $204. That’s way more than a stocking stuffer.
Free ways to protect your packages
Request a signature: Have someone home to receive the package, especially if it’s something expensive. Amazon can email you a secure passcode you have to give to the delivery driver in person for pricey deliveries. Here’s how. A thief won’t have that code!
👉 Use these links to manage your FedEx and UPS delivery preferences and opt into tracking updates.
Get it right to the garage: With Amazon In-Garage Delivery, drivers scan your package for a one-time access code to open your garage door — no repeat access allowed. All drivers undergo a background check; see if it’s available in your area.
Send it to the office: If you can get packages sent to the front desk at work, do it. Just make sure you’re not getting anything delivered you wouldn’t want your coworkers to see. 😳
Try an Amazon Locker: It’s like a smart P.O. Box. Choose a locker, and when your package arrives, Amazon sends a one-time code to your phone to access it. There are 40,000 of them across the country, and they’re in most cities. Use this map to find one near you.
Outsmart ‘em
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Porch pirates are worst in these states
What is the average value of a stolen package? About $50. Who are the ones doing that stealing? Data shows that 94% of porch pirates are 45 and younger, and 67% are middle class. That’s a little surprising, wouldn’t you say?
🏴☠ Hands off my treasure: Porch piracy is so out of control, you can now pay for stolen package insurance. PorchPals covers up to $2,000 of deliveries (or three claims a year) for $120 annually. Don’t bother. Save your money. Sign for your packages or have them delivered to a locker. Steps here!
7 clever uses for your smart doorbell camera
Smart doorbell cameras add a ton of value to your life. Not only do they make you feel more secure in your home, but they can deter criminals, too. If you let a burglar know you’re watching them, they may be too spooked to try anything.
Keep an eye on your property with our top 5 outdoor camera picks
Porch pirates and horrible neighbors can be found anywhere, so you should always keep an eye on your home.
We chose five excellent outdoor cameras you should use to monitor your home, pet areas, garage or shed. Tap or click here for the latest SimpliSafe HD outdoor camera.
Porch pirates are smarter than ever: Across the U.S., they’re stealing AT&T iPhones delivered by FedEx. They’re using tracking numbers to get real-time updates and swipe packages in seconds. Even worse? The info might be coming from rogue AT&T employees. Get a lockable porch box and a video doorbell.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Toss porch pirates overboard: Nationwide, thieves are nabbing expensive new iPhones just seconds after they’re dropped off. AT&T sends theirs via FedEx and usually doesn’t require a signature for deliveries, so they’re the biggest target. If you’re ordering an iPhone, pick it up in-store or get a lockable porch box and video doorbell.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Violating the rights of porch pirates
Can a thief stop you from posting their illegal acts online? Here’s what’s happening in Canada that could be heading our way soon.
Protect your deliveries from sneaky theives
Your front doorstep is a landing pad for all your deliveries — and porch pirates. Here’s how to protect your packages.
Security how-to: Clever way to protect your packages from porch pirates
If you’ve never had a package stolen off your porch, consider yourself lucky. According to Security.org, nearly 49 million Americans have had this unfortunate experience within the past year alone.
Most people can’t stand guard 24/7, so Amazon built a package-protecting feature into its lauded Ring doorbell line of home security devices. Tap or click here for ways to extend your video doorbell’s battery life.
Need to skip the front porch delivery? How to use an Amazon Hub Locker
Most of us wait in anticipation for our Amazon order to arrive. But we can’t always be home when the delivery truck rolls up. Usually, the driver will leave your package at the front door and drive off.
That creates several problems, the least of which is possibly spoiling a gift for a loved one. Over the last few years, porch pirates have become an ever-increasing threat to home deliveries.
Your new holiday gifts attract thieves - 3 tips to protect your stuff
The joys of Christmas morning, when you finally get to tear the wrapping paper from packages waiting under the tree. Now that Christmas 2021 is officially in the books, you might have spent the last few days setting up your new tech … without putting much thought into what to do with its packaging.
Some of your mail delivery is about to get slower - Here's why
An email has undoubtedly taken over from physical mail when it comes to keeping in contact with friends and family. But certain things, like postcards or parcels, can’t be sent over the internet.
Millions of Americans rely on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to deliver goods. The USPS has been a reliable form of delivery for decades. No matter where you’re sending a letter throughout the U.S., it gets there quickly. Well, it used to.
Ring just made its biggest security change in years - Here's how to enable it
Ring cameras are incredibly useful to see what is going on in your house or in the backyard. By connecting them to your Wi-Fi network, you can see who is at the front door right from your mobile device.
While these video doorbells are a great way to fend off porch pirates, you shouldn’t leave your total home security up to them. Tap or click here for our home security comparison: DIY options vs. traditional home security.
Ding, dong: 6 funniest moments caught by video doorbells
Sure, you probably know all about the ways doorbell cameras like SimpliSafe can boost your home security system. Connect them to your phone, and you get a 24/7 live stream of everything going on in your home. With these nifty tools, you can catch burglars, find missing children and even tell your neighbors about a fire.
Ring's cheapest doorbell yet is here – How does it stack up?
When the doorbell rings, you can never be sure who is waiting for you on the other side. If you are not expecting a visitor, it would be great to see who’s knocking without having to go right up to the door.
Ring specializes in making doorbells that integrate with motion cameras, so you can take a peek before answering. The great thing about Ring is that the doorbell’s camera feed can be viewed on your smartphone from anywhere in the world. Not only can you keep track of deliveries, but you can also record porch pirates in the act. Tap or click for clever ways to stop porch pirates.
Holiday deliveries on the way? 6 ways to protect your packages
Each year, thefts hit an all-time high during the holiday season. People everywhere are desperate to find gifts for their loved ones, and the sheer amount of people with expensive goods in their cars or on their porch is too tempting for criminals to resist.
Arrr, take this you porch pirate!
Amazon boxes are on porches across America. Sadly, so are the porch pirates. Here’s how to outsmart them!
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21 problem-solving gadgets that’ll help make your tech troubles disappear
When was the last time your phone died while you were away from home? Have you ever shattered your screen? What about when all the charging cords in the house mysteriously disappear?
The good news is there’s a smart solution for most tech problems. Tap or click for my answers to five common tech frustrations, like spotty Wi-Fi and scanning documents from home.