How to Prevent Package Theft: A 2026 Package Protection Guide

You ordered it. It shipped. It arrived. Then it disappeared. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Package theft is one of the most common property concerns in the U.S., and it's only getting worse as more of us shop online. The good news? A few smart steps (and the right devices) can make a real difference in helping keep your deliveries safe.

How Common is Package Theft?

Quick Answer: One in four Americans has had a package stolen at some point. Last year, $8.2 billion worth of online orders were stolen, according to Security.org¹.

In just the last three months, 9 million adults reported having a package stolen¹. The average stolen package is worth about $222¹, which means this isn't just an inconvenience. It's an expensive one.

Did you know that where you live matters? Those who live in apartments and condos are more than three times as likely to have packages stolen compared to people living in single-family homes¹. States like Kentucky, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Alaska see some of the highest rates of package theft in the country¹.

Here's the reality: fewer than 1 in 4 victims even report the crime to local law enforcement¹, though experts recommend filing a police report for every stolen package, regardless of its value.

The good news? More than half of American homes now use at least one security device to help protect their deliveries¹.

How Can You Prevent Package Theft?

Quick Answer: You can help prevent package theft by combining visible security devices, smart delivery habits, and community awareness to remove the opportunity before it happens.

There's no single solution, but incorporating a few simple steps can help make a significant difference in protecting your packages. Here's what can help:

Make your device visible. A security device that's clearly mounted near your front door signals to anyone approaching that they're being recorded. That alone is one of the strongest deterrents.

Get notified the moment a package arrives. With Ring's Package Alerts², you'll know the second a delivery lands in your designated zone. No more wondering if it's there.

Set up a specific delivery zone. Use customizable Motion Zones in the Ring App to define exactly where packages get dropped off.

Ask delivery drivers to place packages in view of your device. Add delivery instructions to your online orders directing carriers to leave packages in a specific spot. Simple, but effective.

Share clips with your community. If something does go missing, the Neighbors App lets you post footage and alert your community. It's free, and you don't need a Ring device to use join.

Check in between deliveries. Snapshot Capture⁴ takes periodic photos so you can glance at your porch anytime without triggering a full recording.

Can Security Devices Help Prevent Package Theft?

Quick Answer: The best security devices to help prevent package theft include video doorbells for front-door coverage, spotlight cameras for side entrances, and floodlight cameras for larger properties and driveways.

The right device depends on where your packages get delivered. Here's how to think about it:

RingVideo Doorbell: Your front door is the most common delivery spot. Ring's 2026 video doorbells feature Retinal 4K or 2K video with up to 10x Enhanced Zoom and Head-to-Toe coverage that keeps packages on the ground fully in frame. Choose battery-powered for flexible installation or wired for always-on power, both with 3D Motion Detection and Two-Way Talk to communicate with drivers in real time.

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro: For side porches, back entrances, or patios, Ring Spotlight Cam Pro delivers Retinal 4K video⁵ with up to 10x Enhanced Zoom so you can catch detail even at a distance. 3D Motion Detection sends radar-powered alerts, 600-lumen spotlights deter unwanted activity, and Two-Way Talk with Audio+ lets you see, hear, and speak to whoever's there with enhanced sound quality. Night Vision stays in color longer, even when the spotlights are off.

Ring Floodlight Cam Pro: For larger properties where packages land at the end of a driveway or far from the front door, Ring Floodlight Cam Pro delivers Retinal 4K video⁵ with up to 10x Enhanced Zoom and 2000-lumen floodlights that illuminate your biggest outdoor spaces. 3D Motion Detection provides radar-powered precision, and Two-Way Talk with Audio+ lets you respond in real time. DIY or professional installation options make setup straightforward.

Can You be Notified When a Package is Delivered?

Quick Answer: Yes. Ring sends a dedicated Package Detection alert² to your phone when a delivery is detected in your designated zone, separate from general motion notifications.

Here's how it works: In the Ring App, you set up a Package Zone, which is the specific area where deliveries typically land. When Ring detects a package in that zone, you get a dedicated notification that's separate from general motion alerts. So instead of getting pinged every time a car drives by, you only get notified when it actually matters.

You can also enable Person and Vehicle Detection² to know who or what triggered the alert, giving you more context at a glance.

What Should You Do if a Package Gets Stolen?

Quick Answer: Review your security footage, save the clip, file a police report, contact the retailer, and share the video with your community to alert your neighbors.

It's frustrating, but here's the good news: if you have a Ring device with a Ring Protect Plan, you likely have the footage you need. Here's what to do:

Review your video history. Ring Protect subscribers can access up to 180 days of stored video³, so even if you don't notice the theft right away, the footage is there.

Save and download the clip. Save the relevant recording directly from the Ring App before it cycles out of your storage window.

File a police report. Many local departments accept video evidence, and having clear footage makes a difference. Experts recommend reporting every stolen package, regardless of value¹.

Contact the retailer or carrier. Most major retailers have policies for stolen packages, especially when you can provide video evidence.

Share the clip on the Neighbors App. Alerting your community helps others stay aware and can help identify repeat offenders in your area.

Package Theft Prevention Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can security devices actually help deter package theft?
A: Yes. A visible security device at your front door signals that the area is monitored, which can help discourage theft before it happens. More than half of American homes now use at least one security device to help protect deliveries¹. Ring devices with features like LED spotlights, sirens, and Two-Way Talk give you additional ways to respond in real time if you see something happening.

Q: Do I need a subscription for package alerts?
A: Yes. Package Alerts are available with a compatible Ring subscription². The subscription also gives you access to video recording and storage, so you can review and save footage if something goes missing.

Q: Where is the best place to put a security device for package protection?
A: Mount your device where it has a clear, unobstructed view of your delivery area. For doorbells, the standard mounting height of about 4 feet captures head-to-toe views. For standalone devices, 7 to 10 feet high and angled downward toward the delivery zone gives you the widest coverage.

Q: Is the Neighbors App free?
A: Yes. The Neighbors App is completely free to download and use. You don't need a Ring device or a subscription to access community posts, share information, or receive local safety alerts.

Q: How long does Ring store video footage?
A: With a Ring Protect subscription, your video recordings are stored in the cloud for up to 180 days from the date of recording³. You can review, save, and share footage anytime within that window.

Q: Are apartments more at risk for package theft?
A: Yes. People living in apartments and condos are more than three times as likely to have packages stolen as people in single-family homes¹. If you live in a multi-unit building, consider requesting packages be left in a secure area or using a Ring Video Doorbell to monitor your door.

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Ring subscription features and services may vary by country. Not all features available in the United States will be available in every region.

¹Source: Security.org 2024 Package Theft Annual Report (https://www.security.org/package-theft/annual-report/)

²Compatible Ring subscription required. Available for select Ring video doorbells and/or cameras.

³Compatible Ring subscription required. Your Ring motion event videos in the cloud are stored, up to 180 days from recording. Modifying your video storage duration affects only recordings created after the change is applied.

⁴Compatible Ring subscription required. Snapshot Capture photos in the cloud can be stored up to 14 days. Storage options vary based on plan.

⁵Compatible Ring subscription required.