Porch Piracy And What You Can Do About It

If you’re shopping online, read this first 

If you’re among the millions of consumers who will be letting their fingers do the shopping this holiday season, beware of “porch pirates.” These are the thieves who find it lucrative to steal packages delivered to residential doors.

Here are some tips to thwart the bad guys:

Sign on the line. When arranging for shipping, you may be able to indicate “signature required.”

Pick it up. Arrange to pick up packages from retail stores or shipping companies near you.

Track it. Many shipping providers offer a way to track your package’s transit, which will give you a good idea when it’s expected to arrive. For example, the U.S. Postal Service offers the free informed delivery service for tracking packages.

Lock it up. If you receive a lot of packages, consider investing in a lockable drop box.

Find the right spot. Direct the shipping company to leave the package in a sheltered area, such as behind a plant or on a side porch.

Light a lot. Install motion-activated lights outside, which can deter thieves.

Saved by the bell. Consider a smart bell, which is a door bell with a camera. This would enable you to keep an eye on visitors.

Neighbor needed. If you’re expecting a package while you are out of the house, ask a neighbor to retrieve it.

Contact us for all of your insurance needs! 

Buffalo Grove, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Illinois and Wisconsin residents, at R Hobbs Insurance Agency, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at (847) 680-0888 or send us a note at [email protected]. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

Content source: Kemper