Package theft has been on the rise over the past few years, largely due to ecommerce’s boom. In fact, ecommerce alone is expected to account for around $1.1 trillion in US sales by the end of 2023. This unfathomable number is indicative that ecommerce isn’t going anywhere anytime soon — and unfortunately, neither are porch pirates. In 2022 nearly one in seven, or 14%, of Americans were victims of porch pirates, with a good portion of them having multiple packages stolen. Of those 14%, around 67% had one package stolen, 22% had two packages stolen, and 11% had three or more stolen.

Protecting your bought-and-paid-for goods is critical whenever you buy online, so we’ve put together some tips on how you can prevent package theft at both your business or other facility.

Preventing Package Theft at a Business

Businesses and other facilities — universities, government offices, libraries, and more — tend to deal with shipping and receiving quite a bit, leaving them susceptible to bad actors. This is particularly true during the holiday season. Package theft not only eats into your bottom line and becomes a headache, it creates a negative perception of your business when customers can’t rely on you to deliver what they paid for, even if it isn’t your fault. 

But all hope is not lost! Here are some tips to help you protect your goods:

1. Invest in a Smart Locker System

Smiota Smart Lockers provide 24/7/365 security features that monitor and protect all goods stored within. They log all instances of access and automatically notify owners if somebody attempts a break-in or if a maintenance issue arises.

Smiota’s smart lockers, for instance, include innovative technology and enterprise-grade security to ensure every delivery reaches its final destination safely. They also include:

• Role-based security access to deter unauthorized users
• OAuth token-based security
• End-to-end communication encryption
• Real-time security auditing and monitoring with both software and hardware security testing
• Data encryption
• Key rotation

In addition to state-of-the-art security features, the lockers themselves are powder-coated steel to ensure physical integrity. This is accompanied by 24/7 support, automatic updates, and a detailed analytics dashboard that generates real-time mailroom performance reports.

2. Enhance Other Building Security Measures

If package theft has become a thorn in your side and is eating into operational costs, it may be time to consider upgrading overall security infrastructure. This includes installing visible security cameras, posting signage that indicates the area is being surveilled, establishing formalized delivery and storage protocols and guidelines, and limiting access to package and inventory areas through access keycards. For good measure, install motion sensors and an alarm system that can notify local authorities in the event of a break-in.

Note: For a limited time, Smiota is offering a free Nest camera with every locker installation!

3. Train Employees

When implementing or upgrading your facility’s security measures, be sure to train all employees on how the new technology works, who is responsible for various duties, and who has access to which areas. It’s also a good idea to draft formalized guidelines for all employees regarding how to handle and store packages safely and what to do in the event of a theft or attempted theft. 

Create feedback channels for employees to report any concerns they have about suspicious behavior. Foster a culture that allows staff to be vigilant, but not overzealous in their observations.

Smiota Smart Lockers Help Prevent Package Theft

With top-of-the-line security features and sturdy materials, Smiota’s smart lockers are your #1 resource to taking preventative measures against package thieves. Our lockers make your shipping and receiving efforts more efficient and automated by providing 24/7 access, heightened security, a customizable platform, and an app that easily integrates with your existing software, your package solutions are just a phone call away.

Schedule a demo or give us a call to get started on your customized smart locker solution today!