How to Prevent Your Amazon Package from Being Stolen

Statistics show that if you have ever been the victim of porch piracy, chances are you got your Amazon package stolen. That’s right, over 50% of all packages stolen are Amazon deliveries (SafeWise). Porch pirates know the iconic logo on the box and imagine the contents can be enjoyed or sold, making your Amazon packages a potential target for theft.

This is a huge problem for online shoppers - but it doesn’t have to be.

There are various ways to protect your Amazon packages from theft. Choosing the best approach for you is vital to your package safety and peace of mind.

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• 1. Use an Amazon Locker
  You can avoid stolen Amazon packages by using an Amazon Locker. Simply choose a nearby Amazon Locker location as your shipping address during checkout, and once your package is delivered you’ll receive an email notification with an access code to retrieve your package safely from the locker within three business days.

  Amazon Locker package deliveries are limited to Amazon packages and U.S. recipients only, and must meet weight, dimension, and other criteria. Deliveries to an Amazon Locker that are not picked up within three business days will be returned to Amazon and a refund issued. Non-qualifying Amazon purchases and purchases from other sellers cannot be delivered to an Amazon Locker.

• 2. Install a Security Camera
  A visible security camera can deter potential thieves and help you keep an eye on deliveries left at your doorstep. Advanced options like Ring and Nest integrate with mobile apps, offering features like motion detection and real-time alerts, so you’ll know immediately if someone approaches your doorstep. While a security camera cannot on its own prevent package theft, it can help deter or expose porch pirates and assist law enforcement in the retrieval of your stolen items.

• 3. Schedule Delivery Times
  Minimize the risk of your Amazon package being stolen by scheduling deliveries for when you're home. Select Amazon Day at checkout to choose specific delivery windows that fit your availability, ensuring you're at your delivery address to receive your package directly. This combined delivery option is available for Amazon purchases only, so deliveries coming from other sellers and carriers will arrive separately.

• 4. Use Delivery InstructionsWhen ordering, add specific delivery instructions to place your package in a hidden spot or inside a lockable parcel box. This strategy not only protects against a stolen package but keeps your deliveries out of plain sight. However, the package lock box you choose must be large enough to hold all your package deliveries until you return and can retrieve them, or they will still be exposed and vulnerable to theft.

• 5. Enable Delivery Alerts
  Stay updated with real-time notifications from the Amazon app, which can alert you the moment your package arrives. This quick notification allows for prompt retrieval of your package, potentially reducing the window in which a stolen Amazon package could occur. If you are not available at the time of delivery, you may have to enlist the help of family or neighbors to secure your packages.

• 6. Use a Package Receiving Service
  For those who frequently order online, are concerned about high-value deliveries, travel frequently, or work away from home, a package receiving service like a virtual mailbox can be invaluable. iPostal1 virtual mailboxes offer several advantages for preventing package theft, including a real physical address, 24/7 digital management of incoming mail, and the ability to receive packages from all carriers like Amazon, USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL with secure package handling and 5-30 days of free storage, depending on the size of the package.

  Your virtual mailbox location is a USPS certified Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA), that receives and processes your Amazon packages, eliminating the risk of interception by porch pirates. From an app or web portal, you can choose to schedule a pickup or forward your packages to another address with delivery instructions that ensure you are available at the time of delivery

In Case of Theft

Unfortunately, you may be dealing with a missing Amazon package right now. If you find yourself asking, "What to do if my Amazon package is stolen" it’s important to act quickly. Here are steps you can take:

Amazon may replace stolen packages or provide a refund under certain conditions.

The Best Choice for Preventing Amazon Package Theft

Preventing package theft can involve a lot of strategic maneuvering and inconvenience if you rely on methods that limit your protection to Amazon deliveries only or that have size or time restrictions. The best protection for all of your package deliveries, including your Amazon packages, is a virtual mailbox with iPostal1.