Preventing Parcel Theft

The growth of online ordering of products has unfortunately given rise to the growth of another area – parcel theft. There have been a handful of incidents of theft from Liverty properties this year, and its reflective of a wider trend in Australia, especially in residential apartment buildings that have common foyers receiving deliveries.

Thankfully, there are actions you can take to limit the risk of theft. Here’s some tips from the police on how you can thwart the thieves:

Consider installing a home security device like an outdoor camera or a video doorbell. Whilst they cannot prevent a theft, they capture evidence that can be used to track down the thief or report the loss to the retailer and can also serve as a deterrent. Even a motion sensor light can help deter theft.

Have the goods shipped to a secure location, or use click & collect. Australia Post offers a range of ways to receive a parcel – a Post Office, a PO Box or a free 24/7 Parcel Locker. Parcel Point is also offered, that includes local businesses that offer a secure collection service, including convenience stores, pharmacies and service stations. Most stores also offer Click & Collect.

Some buildings offer parcel delivery boxes at the entryway. They are usually tough, weather resistant and hard to tamper with. They usually use a pin-code or remote opening. Ask your building management about this option to see if they offer this.

Insist on signature on delivery. This does mean someone must be available to answer the door when the delivery arrives, but is a fairly secure way to ensure the parcel gets to you.

Request the delivery be made to a secure location. You can ask for the package to be left out of plain sight, such as behind a plant or under porch stairs.

Most of these options re commonly available, either from the online retailer themselves or by using the Australia Post website or app. By taking a little extra time and care when you order, these steps can help ensure you reduce the risk of a ‘missing’ parcel.