How to prevent package theft in apartment buildings

With e-commerce becoming an essential part of the shopping experience, online purchases have become more convenient. The rise in online shopping has also expanded, with just a few clicks, and your favorite item arrives at your doorstep. But that convenience can quickly become frustrating as you receive a message from the courier service that your parcel has been delivered to your address. Imagine the excitement of waiting for a package, yet there’s nothing outside. No box. No trace. Just confusion and disappointment. Package theft is a common issue, and in this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about it. 

Common Types of Package Theft in Apartments

Renters face different types of package thieves and theft incidents. The common ones are

Opportunistic Theft (Stealing Your Package from Common Areas)

This is one of the common package thefts. Many buildings allow free access to couriers, and these thieves are casually walking through the building’s lobby, hallway, or the mailroom. If your package is unattended, then he will grab it.

The Porch Pirates

For those living on the ground floor or garden-style apartments, these pirates find your packages left outside your door. They target these packages, grab them, and leave. These incidents are common among those living in a public walkway or street. 

Internal Theft or Mistaken Pickups

Unfortunately, not all package disappearances are the work of outsiders. Sometimes neighbors, roommates, or visitors might accidentally or deliberately take packages that don’t belong to them, especially when items are left in shared spaces without clear labeling.

Mailroom Mishandling or Delivery Errors

Some packages never make it to your door due to mishandling by building staff or couriers. In complexes without secure lockers or tracking systems, your delivery may be left in the wrong area or mixed up with someone else’s.

Proven Tips to Prevent Package Theft

Use a secure delivery locker from Amazon or Luxer One. You have options to deliver your packages here. Since these systems need a code or key to access, they make theft nearly impossible. 

Don’t Schedule Deliveries When You are Not at Home

Most delivery services like FedEx, UPS, and USPS allow you to schedule or reschedule deliveries. Take advantage of this feature to ensure you’re home. You can also choose a delivery time when a trusted roommate is available to receive the package.

Add Delivery Instructions

Leave clear notes for the courier in your delivery settings. Add “Please place the package behind the plant near the door,” or “Ring the bell upon arrival.” Although it is not a foolproof method, it reduces visibility and may deter quick thefts.

Get Packages Sent to Work or a Friend’s Place

If possible, reroute deliveries to your workplace or a trusted friend or family member’s home, especially for expensive or time-sensitive items.

Track Packages and Act Quickly

Enable real-time tracking and notifications via email or app. As soon as your package is marked “delivered,” pick it up as soon as possible. The less time it sits out, the lower the risk of theft.

Get a Video Doorbell Camera

Since some apartments have privacy rules that do not allow renters to have security cameras. Check your lease rules before getting one or ask your building manager. These doorbell cameras do not use wires and work with batteries. They have a two-way talk feature to scare the package thief and a video storage option for proof.

Signature is Mandatory

This is another option where, if you are not at home, the package will not be delivered in front of your door unless you sign and gain access to your delivery. 

Held Your Package at the  Front Desk

Online stores ensure that the package is delivered to the right place. If you are living in a building where they have a front desk in the lobby, then you can add instructions with your order to hold your deliveries there until you get back home. 

Use Delivery Tracking

If you cannot constantly refresh the delivery tracking page, then sign up for shipping alerts to get notifications on your phone or email. Just sign up for the company’s free delivery management service. On getting a notification, you can go to your delivery management dashboard and either reschedule your delivery or opt for a local shipping office to hold your parcel for pickup. 

ReRoute Your Parcel

Courier services are allowing you to reroute your packages to your family or friends, especially when you are out for a long time. You can either use their address as the shipping address when ordering or make a call to the shipping company with your tracking number to reroute your package. These services are even available online.

Even if you don’t have someone to receive your package, you can call the company to send the package to their local hub, where they can receive it. 

Gadgets to Help Secure Your Deliveries

Delivery Box

If you receive several parcels each month and lose some thanks to those parcel thieves, this gadget is for you. These parcel drop boxes come with a spacious interior to accommodate different sizes of parcels. They also have a lock key or code to protect the parcels, and some of  them are as below:

Keter Delivery Box

• Made with double resin material to keep parcels safe from harsh weather and other elements
• Easy to assemble with just a toolbox

COSCO BoxGuard 

• The spacious design allows organized storage of parcels along with enough space to handle other household items.
• Locable design prevents porch pirates from stealing your package

Video Doorbells 

This ring doorbell is a smart option to prevent package theft. These doorbells come with no-screw installation and attach to your doorframe

Venetian Bronze Ring Doorbell	SimpliSafe Video Doorbell
Dual-band Wi-Fi connects to your network (2.4 or 5.0 GHz), 160° field of view	With 1080p HD resolution and a 162º field of view,
Connect with Alexa	Optional monthly monitoring
makes recordings four seconds before the motion sensor is triggered	easy to take with you if you move
It lets you answer the doorbell with pre-recorded responses if you don’t feel like talking	Get real-time motion alerts on your phone

Conclusion 

Package theft in apartment buildings is becoming a common issue. Apartment complexes share their entryways and hallways. This makes it easier for thieves to snatch your packages. To prevent package theft in an apartment, you can follow the tips mentioned above or use drill-free security options. If the package still goes missing, then report it to retailers. Some companies, including Amazon, offer a refund for stolen packages. 

FAQs

How to prevent package theft in apartments?

To prevent package theft in apartments, use secure delivery options. This includes Amazon lockers or parcel lockers, which are provided by your apartment. You can install a smart security camera or request an on-site delivery. 

How can you protect against package theft?

Schedule deliveries for a time when you are at home. Track your deliveries. Also, retrieve your package immediately. To protect your package, ask for signature confirmation. 

How to stop parcels from getting stolen?

Install a smart security camera at your door. Connect it with your mobile phone. Ask the delivery person to drop the parcel in the package lockbox or hand it over to a reliable neighbour. You can also ask to deliver it to your workplace. 

How can you ensure a package doesn’t get stolen?

When checking out, add instructions to hide the package in a safe spot. Enable delivery notification. You can also install a two-way audio camera to speak to the delivery guy in real time.