Are Home Deliveries A Security Risk?

Do you remember how many packages Amazon delivered to your home over the holidays? If you’re like most of us, the answer is a lot. Americans are doing more online shopping than ever as we seek the convenience of shopping from home. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, online sales increased 32 percent in 2020 compared with 2019 and were on track to rise even more in 2021. Our love of e-commerce has been a boon for package delivery companies like FedEx, UPS, and Amazon–and a blessing for busy families.

But home delivery is not without security risks. Essentially, every package brings a stranger onto your property. A porch full of boxes and frequent deliveries are attractive to thieves looking to steal packages. There’s also the small but real risk of delivery drivers or people pretending to be drivers using their position to access your home.

What Are The Risks of Home Delivery?

Package theft or “porch piracy” is a growing problem. A recent New York Post report indicated that a whopping 210 million packages were stolen in 2021, and 64 percent of Americans experienced a package theft last year. Package theft is often a crime of opportunity, with packages close to the road making for an easy swipe. However, according to a 2019 New York Times report, thieves sometimes follow delivery trucks and grab boxes immediately after delivery in rural and suburban areas.

Burglaries by delivery drivers or criminals dressed as delivery drivers are another security risk. We know that most of our delivery drivers are honest and extremely hardworking. However, there have been numerous reports nationwide of food and package delivery drivers breaking into homes, so caution is always warranted. If you received Amazon deliveries in unmarked vehicles this holiday season, that’s because the company frequently uses independent contractors during high-volume periods. Of course, most of these contractors are simply earning an honest living. But delivery does offer the opportunity for dishonest people to get to know the lay of the land and your family’s schedules.

In both package theft and delivery worker break-ins, security footage is often a critical factor in leading to arrests. Home security systems serve both as a deterrent and a tool for prosecuting crimes when they happen.

What Are Solutions For Home Delivery Risks?

PC Magazine offers several solutions for reducing the risk of package theft:

• Schedule deliveries to arrive when you’re at home when possible.
• Arrange for packages to be delivered to third-party drop-off locations.
• Purchase locked delivery boxes with keypad access for authorized delivery workers.
• Boost outdoor security to deter and document theft.

How Can Improving Outdoor Security Protect My Property?

If package theft or burglary is a concern, beefing up your outdoor security is one of the most critical steps you can take to protect your property. Here are some of the essential elements of a top-notch outdoor security system.

• Security cameras are a must if you have a larger property. Research shows that the presence of a camera alone can deter theft. If a robbery or burglary occurs, today’s cameras can record and send footage to your smartphone.
• Video doorbells are less visible than external cameras, but they offer an excellent low-cost solution for smaller homes. Today’s electronic doorbells provide high-resolution video, and some models include motion detection.
• Outdoor lighting gives you and your neighbors a clear view of what’s happening on your property and can deter theft. Spotlight cameras integrate lighting and security camera functions.
• Alarm systems have arrived firmly in the 21st Century and alert both homeowners and alarm partners when something is amiss.
• Motion sensors can turn on lighting and cameras and activate alarms. Door and window sensors let you know when someone opens an access point and send an alert to your phone.

Protecting Packages and Property With Improved Security

Package delivery is here to stay–with good reason. It makes our busy lives more manageable and allows us to spend time on activities that matter. But it does involve a certain level of risk. That’s why monitoring activity around our home is essential in today’s environment.

Aegis Technologies is the security provider of choice for many of Northern Virginia’s most luxurious homes. We offer 24/7 monitoring through our security partners and set up control and monitoring from your smartphone. Designing a security system is more complex when you have a spacious home and grounds. With decades of experience in an elite market, Aegis Technologies offers custom security solutions to keep your family and property safe. So you can keep the ease of home delivery without the worry.