Tips for package theft prevention

Imagine losing everything you have worked for your entire life in just one day. Sounds terrible? It happens more often than you think. When moving your home or office, your belongings are more vulnerable than ever. Apart from the higher risk of damage during packing and transportation, there is the risk of package theft. Letting complete strangers into your home and leaving them in charge of your valuable items is the perfect scenario for theft. Still, there is no reason to be paranoid or take upon yourself the incredibly exhausting DIY move. There are ways to prevent moving drama. Here are a few useful tips for package theft prevention.

The basics of package theft prevention

Take time to prepare

A very common trap people get themselves into is postponing the move until the last minute. If you do everything at the last moment, you will do it sloppily, overlooking important steps. Before you start doing anything, educate yourself on organizing a move, including how to prevent package theft.

A man's hand with a watch, a laptop in the background

When moving to Brazil in a hurry, we do not pay attention to the important details.

The planning process must start as early as possible. You should begin your search for the right moving company months in advance. Bear in mind that finding a company that fits all your needs takes time. Besides, all the good long distance moving companies Brazil are booked early, so make sure to reserve your date on time.

Moreover, start packing on time. Packing is time-consuming, especially if you’re packing for international relocation. If you choose to do it yourself, it could take weeks. It will surely take more time than you planned if you don’t have much packing experience but doing it thoroughly is how you avoid damage.

Find a reputable moving company from Brazil

Whether you’re moving to Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, or any other Brazilian city popular among expats, with a reliable Brazilian company you will be safe. With so many moving scams out there, finding responsible professionals is not the easiest task. Again, we strongly recommend that you take your time instead of hiring the first movers who seem OK. Visit the companies’ websites and contact them personally to find out more about their prices and services. Additionally, it is very important to read online reviews and see what their customers think. There are useful websites that provide information on which companies have been accused of theft. Finally, talk to the people you know about their experiences and ask for recommendations.

A masked thief carrying a case stolen from people who didn't think about package theft prevention.

You would not normally let someone you don’t trust into your personal space, so why do it now?

Purchase moving insurance

Making sure the company is licensed and insured is one of the most important steps in package theft prevention. Cheap service usually comes with a cheap insurance policy. Cheap insurance won’t do you any favors. On the contrary, anything extremely affordable should be a major warning sign. Before signing the contract (needless to say, a contract is a must), make sure you understand their insurance policy. Some companies offer coverage based on the weight of your belongings, instead of their value. If you possess valuables, this is not the right kind of insurance for you. Complete value protection is the way to go.

A magnifying glass on top of a calculator and a lot of 50 euro bills

Proper value protection is key to package theft prevention.

Packing tips for package theft prevention

Put the less valuable items on top of the valuable ones. This way, if someone opens the package, it will not seem worth stealing.
Do not use seethrough wrapping material. If possible, wrap each item separately in old newspapers. This is a good way to protect your belongings from damage, plus, the thieves would need more time to unwrap them. Ink is not likely to transfer to the items but if it does, you can remove newspaper ink easily. If you still have doubts, use paper that does not contain ink. In case you are using transparent boxes, wrap them in newspapers, too.
Even though it’s desirable to label every box for easier transportation and unpacking, do not write exactly what is inside. You will just make it easier for the thieves to find what they are looking for. Since labeling a package “kitchen” or “bedroom” is not precise enough, try to add a little more information without saying what is in it.
If they ask you, never tell the movers exactly which items are inside a package. Just let them know if it is breakable, not if it is valuable.
Label the packages with numbers – in order of priority, for example, or whatever works for you. Make a list as a reminder not letting the movers see it.
Another package theft prevention tip is using different tape colors to seal the boxes, making sure only you know what each color means.
Take before and after photos of the packages. Thus, you can see if something looks different after delivery.
If you are using packing services Brazil and the movers are the ones in charge of packing, have a few friends come over and help you keep an eye on the packers.

Lock up your valuables

A lot of people pass through your home around the moving day – movers, handymen, friends, neighbors, previous/future tenants, landlords, etc. Many of these people you have never seen before. If you turn your back for one moment, something can easily disappear. This is why you mustn’t leave your belongings, especially your valuables, unattended. It is a good idea to separate the valuables from the rest of your stuff and lock them in a smaller room or a closet until most people are gone. You can pack them yourself or have your movers do it while you supervise. Also, make sure to be there while they load and unload the moving vehicle, checking off the inventory as they go.

Commonly stolen items

Thieves often steal medicine, especially prescription drugs, jewelry and designer perfumes. So, for these items, use small suitcases or any smaller piece of luggage. In addition, identity theft is a major concern. Be extra careful with important documents containing personal information which could later be sold on the street. Make sure documents such as birth certificates, insurance papers, and bank statements are safely stored in a special folder.