Amazon Prime Day is finally here (July 12-13, 2022)! But porch pirates know this and are lurking about. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for someone’s Amazon package to be stolen.
It does happen, especially around the holidays and times like Amazon Prime Day when thieves know people are ordering more things online. And today, people buy things online all the time, including resellers (What is a reseller?)
And there are definitely some great products on Amazon that you could use daily in your reselling business (check out some great tools and products for resellers).
So what do you do if your Amazon package is stolen, and how can you prevent it? This post answers these questions and more, and I’m giving you some helpful tips on preventing package theft year-round.
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What Do I Do If My Amazon Package Is Stolen
Porch pirates can make a lot of money selling stolen items, and that is why they steal packages in the first place. They know that many people will be receiving packages around Amazon Prime Day (get a free 30-day trial!).
And despite changing work habits due to the pandemic, many people work during the day when packages are delivered. So your Amazon delivery can sit out all day until you get home.
Turn On Delivery Notifications
The nice thing about Amazon these days is that once someone delivers your package, Amazon will notify you. And sometimes the deliverer marks down or even takes a photo of where they left it.
So, if you get home and have a missing package, you can check Amazon to confirm if it was delivered. Then, start the process of finding it.
Before you contact the seller or Amazon, there are a few things to do to make sure your package was delivered and then taken.
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- Sign Up for Amazon Notifications to Track Your Package
The first step is to set up notifications that help you track your package if you haven’t yet. Amazon customer service can tell you what to do.
- Check the Amazon App or Website to Check the Status of Your Package
Sometimes Amazon does run behind, or things can delay deliveries. So, next, you need to log in to your account and check to see if Amazon says your package was delivered. If the information is available, check to see where it was placed.
- Check with Neighbors to See if They Saw It Delivered or Any Suspicious Activity
Next, check with your neighbors to see if they saw your package delivered or if they noticed any suspicious activity. A neighbor you’re close with could have brought your package to their home so it wouldn’t get stolen.
They may even have a security camera, such as the Blink Security Doorbell (shown below), that shows your package being delivered and/or someone walking to your porch (or door, patio, garage, etc.) and taking it.
It’s also possible that your Amazon package was delivered to the wrong house. While this isn’t an ideal situation, you may be able to track it down by talking to your neighbors.
- Contact the USPS or Delivery Carrier
Often the shipping carrier is the U.S. Post Office, so you can call them to see where they left the box. This isn’t always helpful due to the volume of packages the post office processes. But you can at least tell Amazon or the third-party seller you tried.
If you get notifications and can see a picture of where it was left, and it wasn’t your house, let the shipping service know. You’ll need the tracking number for your package, so have that information ready.
How Do I Report a Stolen Package to Amazon
If you’ve tried all the things above, it’s time to contact Amazon or the seller about your missing or stolen package. Who you contact depends on if you purchased your item from a third-party seller or if Amazon fulfilled it.
Don’t be surprised if, when you call, Amazon tells you to wait 48 hours because several things could delay or interrupt the delivery of your package. The package might be damaged or opened, or the mail carrier could have been interrupted while delivering your Amazon packages, and you may receive them late.
If you have a picture that proves it wasn’t delivered to your house, they may talk to you earlier.
Once you and Amazon are certain that the package was lost or stolen, what happens?
Does Amazon Give Refunds for Stolen Packages?
Once you can prove the things you ordered weren’t delivered to the correct shipping address, stolen or missing, Amazon usually issues a refund or ships a replacement out. The couple times this has happened to me, Amazon issued a refund or shipped out a replacement very quickly.
The A to Z guarantee is essentially purchase protection. It states that Amazon will cover purchases up to $2,500 even for items sold or fulfilled by third-party sellers or retailers.
What About Expensive Items?
If the item was a more expensive or large purchase, Amazon might require a copy of a police report to file a claim for stolen packages. Filing a claim is fairly easy, and Amazon may not require a police report at all. But it’s still a good idea to let the authorities know if it was a high-dollar item.
While there isn’t much that law enforcement can do, they can write a police report. If you or a neighbor has video of the theft, they have a little more to go on. Plus, many times, this type of theft isn’t limited to one incident, so it could be a good warning for your neighbors. Also, there may be a rash of theft after package delivery in your neighborhood, so this could lead to increased patrols.
Tips to Prevent Package Theft
There are several things you can do to help deter package theft.
- Install a Security or Doorbell Camera
Installing a security system or doorbell camera allows you to record any suspicious activity on your porch. This security equipment is very helpful and easy to install on your front door.
These cameras will record anyone delivering packages and prove if they were lost or stolen.
Surveillance equipment like Blink Security Doorbell (shown below) or Ring Doorbell sends you notifications in real-time to see when someone steps on your porch and also allows you to view live video feeds.
You can even have two-way communication with whoever delivers your package. You can give the mail carrier directions on where to set it or even open your door remotely so they can set the package inside if you also have smart locks.
And of course, you may scare away porch pirates by talking to them even when you aren’t home.
While cameras are no guarantee to prevent theft, they may help catch thieves and prevent additional crimes.
- Partner with a Neighbor to Watch and Protect Deliveries
Partner with a close neighbor to look out for deliveries when the other person isn’t home. You can even take each other’s packages inside, so they aren’t sitting on your porch or at your door all day. My neighbors and I do this, especially if we know we’ll be away for more than a day. A quick text or face-to-face and we know to look out for each other. This can help you prevent stolen packages altogether.
- Pick up Packages at an Amazon Locker or Whole Foods
More and more areas now have Amazon Hub lockers or other secure pickup spots such as Whole Foods grocery stores. This can be a great alternative to shipping to your home, especially if you know you won’t be there or if your area is a target for porch pirates.
- Have Packages Delivered to Work
If you’re worried about getting a package stolen at home and you’re a frequent Amazon customer, you can even have orders delivered to your work. Just double-check if your company allows it.
Final Thoughts on Amazon Package Stolen
Amazon Prime Day has become a major online shopping event for many. Plus, as any reseller knows, shopping online is becoming more and more common. This means if you’re one of these shoppers, dealing with porch pirates could be a problem you continuously deal with.
Now that you have some ideas for securing your deliveries and avoiding theft, you can protect your future orders from Amazon or other retailers.
If your Amazon package is stolen or lost, be sure to file a claim with Amazon to get a replacement or refund.
Whether you partner with a neighbor, install cameras or choose alternate delivery locations, you have a few solutions to protect any delivery you’re expecting.