Package Theft: The snatching of boxes and parcels from porches and doorsteps—now affects millions of homeowners every year. Even if you haven’t been a victim, you’ve likely worried about it, or taken time off work to ensure that a valuable delivery made it indoors.
Why is package theft so common? It’s an easy, opportunistic crime. For a thief, an unattended box on your porch represents fast money for a few seconds’ “work”, without risking the consequences of breaking into a house.
With most homeowners now receiving at least one package delivery a month, the opportunity for thieves is becoming greater. Package thieves have even been caught following delivery drivers through neighborhoods to grab boxes as soon as they’re set down on doorsteps—all while the homeowners are at work. One way you can enjoy package theft prevention is with smart security.
How Does Smart Security Safeguard You?
Advanced home security technology helps you protect your porch and your deliveries. A smart home security system, equipped with a smart lock and a doorbell camera, gives you several safeguards to thwart a thief. These are:
- Video Awareness
- Remote Access Control
- Crime-Fighting Video Technology
All these benefits are here to make securing your home easier and more convenient. The best part is, you can complete most of these smart security features with just a few clicks from your smartphone.
Safeguard 1: Video Awareness
You can’t choose when your packages are delivered, but you can know instantly when it happens. Package theft prevention is possible with an Alarm.com-powered doorbell camera that sends an alert to your smartphone when a delivery person rings the bell. Tap the alert and a video screen will open, showing you the delivery driver with your package.
Cool features like night-vision make it possible to view video footage at all hours of the day, even after the sun sets. Two-way audio lets you scare off intruders or invite friends inside.
If you’re nearby, you can quickly pop home to get your package. If you’re not, you can ask a neighbor to go over and pick it up for you. You can also ask the driver to leave the package somewhere specific, such as behind a fence. Or, you could use…
Safeguard 2: Remote Access Control
When your Alarm.com-powered security system features a smart lock as well as a doorbell camera, there’s no need to have a package left outside at all.
When the delivery person rings your video doorbell and you’ve verified their identity, you can actually unlock your front door with the lock icon on the video call screen. Just ask them to leave the package in your hallway and to close the door firmly when they’re done. Once you see them leave, you can secure your front door remotely.
Safeguard 3: Crime-Fighting Video Technology
Delivery drivers aren’t the only ones who’ll be impressed by your doorbell camera. Thieves do their best to avoid homes with cameras and security systems because of the increased likeliness of being captured on camera and tracked down.
Cameras powered by Alarm.com, including doorbell cameras, are complete security cameras, able to capture motion-triggered clips, alert you, and store your clips in Alarm.com’s cloud for later viewing.
Should a package thief strike on your front porch, you’ll receive a video alert, with the ability to download the clip and quickly share it with your local police department. You can even post the clip to social media to alert your neighbors.
Tips for Finding the Right Smart Home Security System
There’s a ton of smart home security options on the market today for families to choose between. Many of them claim to offer certain features in an effort to beef up your security and improve your overall connectivity with home. Therefore, finding the right system in a crowded field might seem like a never-ending journey. Make the shopping experience easier with these tips:
- Evaluate the Needs of Your Home
- Understand Your Budget
- Research the Company
- Use Your Trial Period
Evaluate the Needs of Your Home
What type of security does your home need? Are you exclusively looking for package theft prevention? Or do you want security cameras to monitor activity in your home happening when you’re not around? Do you want self-monitoring or is professional monitoring a must-have? What about installation? Are you more keen of do-it-yourself or does a professional installation seem more trustworthy?
These are just a few things you should consider before selecting a company and building your security package. You’ll certainly want to make sure the company you pick meets most, if not all, of your needs.
Understand Your Budget
If it sounds simple, that’s because it pretty much is. Know how much you’re willing to spend for home security and only continue to further research companies within your price range.
Research the Company
Before selecting a company, make sure you know as much as you can about them. What are the online reviews saying? How’s the quality of their equipment? Do their monthly prices fluctuate over time or can you expect to enjoy consistent pricing? How long have they been in business? Do they offer special financing? Make a list of important factors you’re looking for and make a note of the companies meeting these qualifications.
Use Your Trial Period
Some companies offer trial periods for their equipment. The length of this trial varies for some companies. However, no matter if your trial period is a week or a full month, use this time to focus on the equipment and how it’s improving the security and comfort of your home. Make sure there aren’t any weird glitches or false alarms happening.
Get Proactive Today With ONIT
Home security is more than smart home automation, or installing a security surveillance camera system. It’s about 24/7 protection, professional monitoring from experts ready to support your home when help is needed, and yes, package theft prevention.
Start protecting your home with top security offered at ONIT. We customize smart home security systems to make protecting what matters most a breeze. And with Smart Choice Financing, best-in-class smart security is possible for every family of any budget.