If you’re anything like me, you understand the joy of receiving a package at your front door, especially when you’ve found a great deal online from the comfort of your couch. As more people rely on online shopping for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, the risk of porch theft rises. This year, more shoppers are taking precautions to deter porch pirates.
A recent CNET survey revealed that 71% of US shoppers have a plan in place to prevent package theft this holiday season, an increase from 68% last year. From doorbell cameras to package tracking technology, more Americans are actively protecting their deliveries. This comes as no surprise to experts, given the rise in package theft over the years, particularly during the holiday season.
Here’s what the latest survey by CNET uncovered about holiday porch theft and the recommendations from experts on safeguarding your holiday deliveries this year:
– 71% of US adults are either taking or planning to take action to prevent package theft, a 3% increase from last year. Meanwhile, 17% do not have any plans to address the issue.
– The average value of packages expected to be delivered to an individual’s home or another address this holiday season is $291 per US adult.
– Most individuals planning to prevent theft will utilize package tracking technology to monitor their deliveries.
– 28% of respondents do not intend to leave their home unattended for extended periods during the holiday season.
– One in four adults aged 18 to 34 knows someone who has fallen victim to package theft.
Although the majority of US adults (66%) have not experienced package theft personally, 17% have had a package stolen in the past year. Additionally, almost one in 10 individuals (8%) have witnessed an attempted package theft, while more than one in five (21%) know someone who has had a package stolen.
The survey data indicates that the average package value for all participants is $291.38. When extrapolated to the US population over 18 years old, this could amount to $76 billion in packages at risk of theft this season.
It can be challenging to recover your losses if a package is stolen, especially if you did not use a credit card with purchase protection. Experts recommend taking preemptive measures to prevent thieves from targeting your doorstep.
To safeguard your packages this holiday season, experts recommend the following:
1. Sign up for tracking and delivery alerts to retrieve your package promptly.
2. Install a doorbell or home security camera to deter porch pirates.
3. Arrange for package pickup if you anticipate being away from home.
4. Ask your neighbors for assistance in picking up packages or monitoring your home.
5. Install a package delivery lockbox by your front door.
6. Use Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery for secure drop-offs inside your garage.
In the unfortunate event that your package is stolen, experts advise filing a police report, checking for purchase protection benefits, and notifying your neighbors. Taking proactive steps can help prevent future thefts and protect your holiday deliveries.