How to Prevent Package Theft in Apartments

Law enforcement agencies don’t track package theft, so there’s very little data to figure out how often it happens, especially when it comes to package theft in apartments. Chances are, though, it’s happened to you or someone you know. It may have been a package stolen from an apartment lobby or your hallway. To help, we’ve researched the best ways to prevent apartment package theft.

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Just make sure you have permission to route your packages to your family or friend’s home and that you use their address as your shipping address when ordering items. Your friend may be more willing to be your shipping buddy if you get a package locker for their porch, so both of you win.

If your package has already shipped, a call to the shipping company with your tracking number can sometimes get the package rerouted without much fuss. Some companies will even let you reroute online.

Tracking your packages can help you pounce on your package as soon as it arrives. But you’re too busy to be constantly refreshing the tracking page. Instead, sign up for shipping alerts delivered to your phone or email.

You’ll need to sign up for the delivery company’s free delivery management service to get started. Once you’re signed up, you can set up text or email notifications.

1. Go to the USPS home page.
2. Click on Informed Delivery.
3. Choose Sign Up for Free.
4. Follow the instructions to sign up for an account and verify your identity.

1. Go to the FedEx Delivery Manager page.
2. Click the Sign Up for Free button at the top of the page.
3. Follow the on-screen directions.
4. Verify your identity.
5. Select what types of notifications you want to receive.

1. Go to the UPS My Choice page.
2. Choose the Sign Up button.
3. Follow the instructions.
4. Choose what type of notifications you want to receive.

If you have the option of requiring a signature on delivery, do it. If you’re not at home, the package won’t be left in front of your door. And unless a package-napper is willing to stand by your door 24/7, they won’t be there to forge your signature and gain access to your delivery.

If your apartment has a front desk in the lobby, you can have all of your deliveries held there until you get home. Many online stores will let you add delivery instructions to your order at the checkout to make sure your package is delivered to the right place.

A video doorbell camera can “see” packages using AI technology and alert you when a package is delivered. Even better, it will record if anyone tries to take the delivery.

There are a few video doorbell security camera must-haves to combat package piracy in apartments:

• No wires: It needs to get its power from batteries since most apartments don’t have doorbell wiring.
• Two-way talk: This feature is useful for talking to potential package thieves to scare them away, even when you’re not home.
• Video storage: Videos need to be stored locally or in the cloud so there’s video evidence if your package is stolen.
• Package detection: With this feature, you’ll know when to run out to grab your package or have a neighbor grab it for you.

Our top pick for combating apartment package thieves is the Ring Video Doorbell 4. It meets all of our criteria for an apartment package theft deterring doorbell camera, plus, it has a lot of great features:

• Dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity: gives you options on how the doorbell connects to your network (2.4 or 5.0 GHz)
• 160° field of view (way above industry standard): records people from head to toe, which helps identify potential thieves
• Pre-Roll feature: makes recordings four seconds before the motion sensor is triggered provides more footage of potential thieves
• Quick Replies feature: lets you answer the doorbell with pre-recorded responses if you don’t feel like talking
• Ring Neighborhood App: helps you connect with your neighbors to find lost packages or help each other keep watch over deliveries

SimpliSafe's video doorbell camera is part of a comprehensive DIY security system that includes an alarm, sensors and additional cameras for your apartment rather than a stand-alone device like Ring. With 1080p HD resolution and a 162º field of view, you’ll be able to see that package you ordered or a stranger at your door. Plus, SimpliSafe is easy to install without drilling holes, is easy to take with you if you move and their monthly monitoring is optional.

Parcel lockers are just what they sound like. They’re self-service lockers at your local grocery store or other location that will hold your delivery until you can pick it up.  You can use the Amazon Locker tool to find an Amazon Locker hub near you. Then, select the Amazon Hub location as your shipping address.

If there’s not an Amazon locker near you (or you just don’t like Amazon), you can search for non-Amazon delivery lockers near you with the UPS Access tool.

If you’re a Prime Member in specific locations, Amazon Key might be the answer. You just download the Key by Amazon app and use it to give Amazon delivery drivers access to your apartment so they can place the package inside, out of a nabber’s reach.

For it to work, you’ll need a compatible smart lock and possibly a Smart Lock Kit so your apartment door can unlock when the delivery person arrives and lock back up once your package is safely inside.

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