7 ways to prevent your holiday packages from getting stolen · this free service lets you order...

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7 ways to prevent your holiday packages from getting stolen Cindy Bailen (http://www.usatoday.com/staff/10059058/cindy-bailen/), Reviewed.com Published 4:29 p.m. ET Dec. 7, 2017 Packages (Photo: Getty Images) — Our editors review and recommend products to help you buy the stuff you need. If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. However, our picks and opinions are independent from USA TODAY’s newsroom and any business incentives. As you await the arrival of those Cyber Monday deals (http://www.reviewed.com/home outdoors/features/15mostpopularthingsourreadersboughtonamazonthiscyber weekend) you snagged, consider that nearly one third of Americans (/story/tech/news/2017/11/20/packagethefthitsnearlyonethirdamericansvideo surveillanceanswer/874554001/) have had packages stolen. I never thought much about delivery theft until a couple on my quiet suburban street had a justdelivered office chair stolen from inside their screened porch. I can’t even imagine the thief sneaking away with that big, unwieldy parcel, but it happened. After that, I started researching package dropoff alternatives. Assuming you can’t stay home all day to wait for a delivery, here are the best ways to prevent someone else from taking your packages. 1. Have parcels delivered to a friend or your job

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Page 1: 7 ways to prevent your holiday packages from getting stolen · This free service lets you order online and pick up packages from a box at a location you choose. Amazon just installed

7 ways to prevent your holiday packagesfrom getting stolen

Cindy Bailen (http://www.usatoday.com/staff/10059058/cindy-bailen/), Reviewed.com Published 4:29 p.m. ET Dec. 7, 2017

Packages (Photo: Getty Images)

— Our editors review and recommend products to help you buy the stuff you need. If youmake a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue.However, our picks and opinions are independent from USA TODAY’s newsroom and anybusiness incentives.

As you await the arrival of those Cyber Monday deals (http://www.reviewed.com/home­outdoors/features/15­most­popular­things­our­readers­bought­on­amazon­this­cyber­weekend) you snagged, consider that nearly one third of Americans(/story/tech/news/2017/11/20/package­theft­hits­nearly­one­third­americans­video­surveillance­answer/874554001/) have had packages stolen.

I never thought much about delivery theft until a couple on my quiet suburban street had ajust­delivered office chair stolen from inside their screened porch. I can’t even imagine thethief sneaking away with that big, unwieldy parcel, but it happened.

After that, I started researching package drop­off alternatives. Assuming you can’t stay homeall day to wait for a delivery, here are the best ways to prevent someone else from taking yourpackages.

1. Have parcels delivered to a friend or your job

Page 2: 7 ways to prevent your holiday packages from getting stolen · This free service lets you order online and pick up packages from a box at a location you choose. Amazon just installed

Parcels (Photo: Getty Images)

Not everyone has a local friend or relative who’s at home all day to receive your parcels, sosee if it’s okay to have your packages sent to your workplace. Don’t take advantage, though.A former colleague had so many shoes shipped to her job, the mailroom guy called her“Zappo"!

2. Get an Amazon Locker near your home

This free service lets you order online and pick up packages from a box at a location youchoose. Amazon just installed a bunch of lockers at Whole Foods markets, and there arealready plenty at local convenience stores and college campuses.

When you ship something to a locker, you get an email with a pickup code and have up tothree days to pick it up. It may be inconvenient to do a pickup run, but it’s better than leavinga box on your front steps. And you can leave returns in the locker, too.

Find an Amazon Locker (http://amzn.to/2jwWcX1)

3. Set up a smart security camera

Page 3: 7 ways to prevent your holiday packages from getting stolen · This free service lets you order online and pick up packages from a box at a location you choose. Amazon just installed

Cameras (Photo: Ben Keough)

A smart security camera (http://smarthome.reviewed.com/best­right­now/best­smart­outdoor­security­cameras) lets you keep an eye on your home. You can receive an alert when anyoneapproaches your front door. Some cameras even let you communicate with the sketchyperson who's eyeing your package. You may have to pay a subscription fee, but you'llincrease security around your house.

Check out our guide to outdoor security cameras(http://smarthome.reviewed.com/best­right­now/best­smart­outdoor­security­cameras)

4. Have your mail and packages held

Connect with the post office and delivery services before you go on vacay, and get your stuffwhen you come back. And don't place any orders that will arrive while you're away. Contact the U.S. Postal Service (https://www.usps.com/help/contact­us.htm)

5. Look into The Package Guard

Page 4: 7 ways to prevent your holiday packages from getting stolen · This free service lets you order online and pick up packages from a box at a location you choose. Amazon just installed

Package Guard (Photo: Package Guard)

The Package Guard is a device the size and shape of a Frisbee that connects to your home

Wi­Fi. It sits on your porch, texts you when a package is delivered, and sets off a very loud

alarm if someone who doesn’t have the app tries to move the box.

Buy The Package Guard for $89 (https://www.thepackageguard.com/product/package­guard/)

6. Consider your comfort level with a smart lock

Smart Lock (Photo: Schlage)

Okay, if Amazon Key (https://www.amazon.com/b?&node=17285120011) sounds just crazy to

you, you may still want to add a smart lock to your door. We’ve reviewed some excellent

smart locks (http://smarthome.reviewed.com/best­right­now/best­smart­locks­of­2017) that

you can choose from. The ability to generate unique virtual keys can be very convenient

when you need to let someone in.

Check out our guide to the best smart locks (http://smarthome.reviewed.com/best­right­now/best­smart­locks­of­2017)

7. Purchase a parcel delivery box

Page 5: 7 ways to prevent your holiday packages from getting stolen · This free service lets you order online and pick up packages from a box at a location you choose. Amazon just installed

Parcel Box (Photo: Landport)

Some of these boxes are old school, with hasps and locks. The modern ones let you use your

phone to create and share an access code. Once bolted to your porch or front steps, these

boxes become a secure point of delivery. Although we haven’t tested it, there’s a lot of buzz

around the Landport.

Buy the Landport Essential Cube for $499 (https://www.thelandport.com/) Check out other parcel drop boxes on Amazon (http://amzn.to/2i3XAjz)

Prices are accurate at the time of publication, but may change over time.

Read or Share this story: https://usat.ly/2B29Coo