Holiday shopping creates a predictable problem: more packages arrive at homes, and more deliveries may sit unattended while people are at work, traveling or running errands. Package theft—often called porch piracy—can happen at any time of year, but a few simple delivery choices can make a home a less convenient target and make a missing shipment easier to investigate.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service recommends promptly collecting mail and packages, arranging for pickup when no one will be home and using options such as Hold for Pickup or signature confirmation for appropriate shipments. The best approach is usually a combination of delivery planning, secure storage and quick follow-up—not relying on a camera alone.

1. Know when your packages are arriving

Use the tracking number and carrier notifications to understand when a delivery is expected. USPS Informed Delivery and the tracking tools offered by other carriers can help you anticipate a shipment, although an estimated delivery window is not a guarantee. Turn on notifications where available and check the delivery confirmation promptly.

When possible, schedule deliveries for a day when someone will be home. If the retailer or carrier offers a delivery window or rescheduling, use it for expensive or time-sensitive items. If the delivery is marked complete but the package is not visible, check the carrier’s proof-of-delivery details before assuming it was stolen.

2. Choose a safer delivery location

If you know you will be away, do not automatically send a valuable order to an exposed front porch. Depending on the carrier and retailer, you may be able to redirect it to a staffed pickup point, parcel locker, workplace or trusted neighbor. USPS offers Hold for Pickup at participating Post Office locations and Delivery Instructions for eligible domestic packages.

Ask a trusted neighbor to collect a parcel only if you are comfortable with the arrangement and can coordinate the handoff. For apartment buildings, use the property’s designated package room or locker system when it is secure and accessible to residents.

3. Consider a lockable package box

A properly installed package lockbox can keep a delivery out of sight and make it harder to remove casually. Before buying one, check its dimensions against the packages you typically receive, how the driver is expected to open or deposit items, whether it can be anchored and whether it is suitable for your porch or entryway.

Not every carrier or delivery driver will use every lockbox design. Read the instructions and make delivery placement clear in the carrier’s approved delivery-instructions system. A box that is too small, difficult to access or not secured to the property may offer less protection than expected.

4. Use cameras and lighting as supporting tools

A doorbell camera or outdoor security camera can send an alert when someone approaches and may preserve useful footage if a theft occurs. Motion-activated lighting can also improve visibility around an entryway. Position cameras to capture the delivery area without unnecessarily recording neighbors’ private spaces.

Technology has limits. A camera does not physically secure a package, and footage may not identify a person clearly if the camera angle, lighting or image quality is poor. Treat cameras as part of a broader plan rather than a guarantee that theft cannot happen.

5. Make delivery instructions specific

Where a carrier allows it, specify a safe, accessible location that is not visible from the street. Avoid directions that put a parcel in a place where it can be damaged by weather, block an exit or create a hazard. If your home has a side entrance or covered area, make sure drivers can find it without entering a restricted area.

For high-value items, consider a signature-required option if it is available and practical. It can reduce the chance of a package being left unattended, but it may also mean a missed delivery and a later pickup or redelivery.

6. Be careful when posting delivery information online

A public post showing an expensive purchase, a shipping label or a stack of deliveries can reveal more than intended. Avoid sharing tracking numbers, full addresses, access codes or real-time details about when your home will be empty. If you post an unboxing video, remove labels and identifying information first.

What to do if a package disappears

First, check the tracking details and the delivery location. Look around side doors, porches, mailrooms and other permitted drop-off spots. Ask household members or building staff whether they collected it. If the carrier confirms delivery but you cannot locate the parcel, contact the retailer and carrier promptly and ask about their missing-package process.

• Save the order confirmation, tracking number and delivery notification.
• Take screenshots of the tracking page and any delivery photograph.
• Ask nearby neighbors or building management whether the package was moved or accepted for you.
• Contact the seller and carrier to report the missing shipment and request an investigation.
• If you have camera footage, preserve the original file and note the time shown.
• Report suspected mail theft to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service when USPS mail or a USPS package is involved; contact the appropriate carrier and local law enforcement for other deliveries.

The Postal Inspection Service notes that it does not handle packages shipped exclusively through other carriers such as UPS, FedEx or Amazon Logistics. For those shipments, start with the delivery company and retailer. If a stolen package contained a check or sensitive financial information, contact the bank or issuer immediately and follow its fraud-prevention instructions.

A simple holiday delivery routine

Before placing an order, decide where it should be delivered if you are not home. Turn on tracking alerts, arrange pickup for days you will be away and collect deliveries as soon as practical. For expensive items, use a staffed pickup location or signature service when available. Review your camera and lighting coverage before the busy shopping period rather than after a package goes missing.

The bottom line

There is no single product that eliminates package theft. The most dependable strategy is to reduce the time a parcel sits unattended, choose a secure delivery location, use carrier tools and keep a record of each shipment. A little planning before checkout can save time and frustration later.

Related reading: How to Lower Your Heating Bill This Winter; Make a Small Living Room Feel Warmer.

Sources: U.S. Postal Inspection Service: Mail and package theft prevention; U.S. Postal Inspection Service: Holiday readiness; USPS: Mail theft and reporting guidance; USPS: Manage deliveries and pickup options.