6 ways to ensure your online shopping reaches you 

Online shopping is great – just a couple of clicks and in a few days your purchases are at your door – most of the time. However, as we move more of our regular shopping to be online, the chances of your parcels being stolen from your doorstep is increasing.  

In 2022, 9.4 million Australian households shopped online, spending a record $63.8 billion on online goods. Meanwhile, 1 in 5 Australians had a parcel lost or stolen in the year to April 2023 – a staggering 4.2 million parcels. 

Here are 6 handy tips to increase the chances of your online shopping reaching you safely.

1. Choose click and collect.

If the online shop offers it and you live relatively close to the store location, choose “click and collect” rather than delivery by mail or courier. 

2. Make sure your safe place is actually safe.

Many online stores now give you the opportunity at checkout to specify a preferred location to leave your deliveries if you’re not home. Your safe place could be behind the shed, under the tank, or with a neighbour. If you have a MyPost account with Australia Post, you can also indicate where you would like parcels left or ask them to take parcels to the nearest post office if you’re not home. However, be cautious of doing this – there aren’t many hiding places that a thief hasn’t thought of.

3. Get parcels sent to a secure locker.

Some companies, such as Australia Post, Sendle and Amazon have secure lockers located throughout Victoria where parcels can be sent. You enter your chosen parcel locker as your delivery address at the online checkout.

4. Install a parcel letterbox.

If you receive a lot of parcels, consider installing a parcel letterbox, which is designed to safely house parcels as well as letters. They usually have a large flap for parcels and a narrow slot for letters. The doors to each compartment are lockable, with either a key or a pin code – some even have smart locks.

If you’re buying something of value, choose to have the parcel tracked and need a signature on delivery. If the seller doesn’t offer these options, consider buying the item elsewhere.

5. Have parcels sent somewhere else.

Consider having your parcels sent to your work address if that’s allowed. Or perhaps you have a kind neighbour, friend or family member who’s retired or works from home and wouldn’t mind receiving parcels for you.