When same-day delivery first hit the mainstream, the promise was simple and direct: Get what you want, when you want it. But what about security? Speed without protection can be a more dangerous game. In 2024 alone, porch pirates made off with an estimated $12 billion worth of goods, while cargo theft spiked by 13% year over year. For retailers, those figures represent more than just operational challenges; stolen goods and theft are a direct hit to a brand’s reputation, its customer trust and its bottom line. 

As last-mile delivery becomes a bigger piece of the overall customer experience, retailers must ensure their same-day delivery options are not only fast but also secure and fraud-resistant. Fortunately, some fulfillment platform technologies are making this possible.

Growing security expectations in the final mile 

According to recent findings, consumer loyalty is fragile. A 2025 consumer survey by Roadie and Supply Chain Dive’s studioID found that two out of five online shoppers believe that if delivery problems occur, whether theft or delays, retailers and companies handling delivery bear equal responsibility. 

Another Roadie survey found that customers ranked the following aspects as their top delivery priorities:

• Damage-free delivery (43%)
• On-time delivery (43%)
• The ability to communicate with the driver (42%)
• The ability to choose a specific delivery window (39%)
• Access to real-time tracking (35%) 

Technologies reshaping secure deliveries 

The last mile is no longer just a logistical step; rather, it’s a make-or-break moment in the customer journey. As item theft and fraud continue to rise, same-day delivery can only succeed if it’s paired with airtight security measures. After all, ultrafast delivery doesn’t mean much if an item gets swiped off a porch. Instead, retailers and delivery partners must prove they can keep items safe from dock to doorstep. To meet rising consumer expectations, the Roadie platform includes layers of proactive security measures. These measures include: 

• Driver facial recognition verifies the identity of the person completing a delivery. This reduces the risk of stolen credentials or bad actors accepting goods. 
• AI-powered fraud detection can flag suspicious activity patterns, whether it’s deliveries outside a driver’s usual delivery area or multiple failed drop-off attempts. 
• Password-protected handoffs also ensure that the item or goods transfer only to the recipient, rather than to an unknown person. 
• Delivery verification tools, such as electronic signatures, photo confirmation and timestamped proof of delivery, add both transparency and accountability in the final mile. 
• Real-time GPS tracking lets both the customer and the retailer see exactly where an item is in the delivery process.

A multi-pronged approach to security can help reduce losses and protect your brand reputation. UPS technologies like UPS My Choice®, DeliveryDefense™ and InsureShield® provide additional layers of protection, offering flexible delivery options, enhanced theft prevention and shipment insurance.

What retailers should look for in a delivery partner 

Not all logistics platforms approach fraud prevention the same way, however. Many focus on reactive solutions such as pattern recognition, minimal visibility or control, or refunds and claims processing after theft occurs. And while these measures may patch the financial damage, they do little to restore the customer’s trust once an incident has soured the experience.

Instead, retailers should look for delivery partners that emphasize proactive fraud protection rather than post-incident recovery. The Roadie platform and UPS ecosystem give senders control and assurance from pickup through drop-off. Passcode-protected handoffs require the recipient to enter a unique delivery code, while photos and a signature captured at drop-off ensure proof of delivery. Using the Roadie platform connects retailers with a network of local drivers, with accountability built into the delivery process. 

Taking a customer-centric approach to security demonstrates that brands value safety as much as convenience. And businesses, in turn, can keep their promises of speed without compromise.