How to Stop Package Theft: 9 Ways to Beat Porch Pirates (2026)

Package theft has become one of the most common property crimes Americans actually experience. Security.org’s 2025 survey of 3,307 adults found that about one in four Americans, roughly 64 million people, have had a package stolen, and it estimated 37 million packages would be stolen in 2025, with the average stolen package worth about $222.

Porch pirates work fast and in daylight, so the fixes are about making a grab-and-go impossible or pointless. This guide covers what works, in order of effectiveness, and the best-selling products for each.

Our picks at a glance

Why packages get stolen

Package theft is a crime of opportunity. A box on a porch in full view of the street, during the day when most people are at work, takes seconds to take. Thieves often follow delivery vans through a neighbourhood. Because each theft is small, many are never reported, which makes it low risk for the thief.

The fixes below remove the opportunity, increase the risk of being identified, or both.

9 ways to stop package theft

1. Use a lockable package box

A delivery box with a one-way drop slot lets couriers deliver while you are out, and nobody else can open it. Anchor it to the porch or a wall so it cannot be carried away. Larger boxes take most everyday deliveries; very large items will still be left beside it.

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2. Deliver to a locker or pickup point

Amazon lockers and counter pickup, carrier pickup locations and retail store pickup take your doorstep out of the equation entirely. They are free and especially useful for expensive items.

3. Install a video doorbell

A video doorbell records everyone who comes to the door and lets you talk to them from your phone. It deters, it gives you evidence, and it lets you ask a delivery driver to leave the package somewhere safer. Choose one with a tall “head-to-toe” field of view so packages on the ground are in frame.

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4. Add a camera covering the porch from another angle

Thieves often keep their faces away from the doorbell. A second camera from the side or above catches what the doorbell misses. See our home security camera guide.

5. Give delivery instructions

Most retailers and carriers let you add notes for drivers: leave it behind the side gate, out of sight of the road, or with a neighbour. Some carriers let you choose a specific delivery location in their app.

6. Track deliveries and bring them in fast

Turn on delivery notifications so you know the moment a package arrives. The shorter the time a box sits on the porch, the lower the risk.

7. Require a signature for expensive items

For high-value orders, a signature requirement means the package is not left unattended. It is inconvenient, but it works.

8. Ship to work or a trusted neighbour

If your employer allows it, deliver to your workplace. Otherwise, a retired neighbour or one who works from home may be happy to take deliveries in exchange for doing the same for them.

9. Use a smart lock or garage delivery

Some services can deliver inside your garage or front door using a compatible smart garage controller or smart lock, with the delivery recorded on camera. It is the most secure option where available. See smart lock vs deadbolt and garage security.

Package theft in apartments

Apartment buildings have their own package problem: deliveries left in shared lobbies and mailrooms where any resident or visitor can pick them up. If your building has package lockers, use them and ask the manager to make them mandatory for couriers. If it does not, ask whether the front desk or office can hold deliveries. For expensive items, a pickup point or locker away from home is usually safer than any lobby.

Renters can still use a video doorbell in many buildings. Battery models that mount without drilling are the easiest to get approved, and an indoor camera pointed at your own door through a peephole or window can sometimes cover the same view. Our apartment security guide covers what to ask your landlord.

The holiday season

Package theft rises with delivery volume, so the weeks from late November through December are the highest-risk period for most households. Plan for it in advance. Ship gifts directly to the recipient where you can, use pickup points for anything valuable, and stagger orders so you are home for the big deliveries. If you will be travelling over the holidays, pause deliveries or have them held, because a pile of boxes on a porch also tells burglars that nobody is home. Our vacation security checklist covers the rest.

Do not fall for delivery scams

Package scams travel alongside package theft. Texts and emails claiming a delivery problem often link to fake websites that ask for a “redelivery fee” or card details. Check delivery status only in the carrier’s or retailer’s own app or website, typed in yourself, and never pay a fee through a link in an unexpected message.

If your package is stolen

• Check with neighbours and around the property first; packages are sometimes misdelivered.
• Save any doorbell or camera footage immediately.
• Report it to the retailer. Many will replace or refund stolen items, especially if you report quickly.
• File a claim with the carrier if the item was insured.
• Report it to the police. A report is useful for insurance and helps police see patterns.
• Check whether your homeowners or renters insurance covers it; small losses may fall below your deductible.

Which fix should you start with?

If you only do one thing, match it to how your deliveries actually arrive. If most packages come while you are at work, a lockable package box or a pickup point solves the problem directly. If you are usually home but busy, delivery notifications and a video doorbell with two-way talk let you deal with each delivery as it lands. If you live in an apartment with a shared lobby, lockers or front-desk holding beat anything you can install yourself. Most households end up with two layers: one that keeps the package out of reach and one that records anyone who tries anyway. That combination makes your porch one of the worst on the street for a thief, which is the goal.

Video doorbell buying tips

• Wired or battery? Wired doorbells never need charging and often have better features; battery models install anywhere.
• Field of view. Look for a tall vertical view so packages on the ground are visible.
• Subscription. Most brands charge for recording history and some smart features. Check what works without a plan.
• Local storage. Some brands record locally on a hub or card, which avoids monthly fees.
• Renting? Ask before mounting anything outside your door. Some doorbells mount without drilling.

Keep reading

• How to secure your home: the complete guide
• Best home security cameras
• Home security while on vacation
• Apartment security for renters

Sources

• Security.org — 2025 Package Theft Report and Statistics

Statistics verified October 2026. Amazon sales signals checked October 2026.

How we choose and check gear: see our Editorial Policy.