260 Million Packages Stolen by 'Porch Pirates' Last Year: Tips to Protect Your Deliveries

It's likely that you're not the only one eagerly awaiting packages to arrive at your doorstep.

As the holiday season approaches, the risk of packages being stolen from front porches increases due to the increased amount of home deliveries. This is according to experts who warn of the potential for so-called porch pirates to take advantage of the situation.

In the last twelve months, SafeWise, an online guide to security and safety products, reported that an estimated 260 million packages were stolen. This is an increase of 50 million from the previous year's estimate of 210 million.

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Teresa Murray, a consumer watchdog for U.S. PIRG, a nonprofit consumer advocacy research group, noted that package thefts have been increasing, which may be due to the surge in online shopping that began with the onset of the pandemic in 2020.

Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows that online sales rose to 16.4% of all retail sales in the second quarter of 2020, when the pandemic began to take hold in the U.S. This was an increase from 11.9% in the previous quarter. Although the share has since decreased to 14.8% in the third quarter of this year, it is still higher than it was before the pandemic.

The holiday season is a time of increased shipping activity, and unfortunately, it is also a time when more packages are likely to go missing. SafeWise estimates that the total annual cost of this type of theft is a staggering $19.5 billion.

Murray noted that law enforcement agencies in many parts of the United States have experienced a significant increase in the number of porch pirates in recent weeks.

She suggested that the increase in package theft could be due to more people going back to their workplaces on a regular basis in comparison to the past two years. Additionally, with the large number of deliveries that occur around this time of year, it is likely that criminals are taking advantage of the situation.

Ben Stickle, a criminal justice professor at Middle Tennessee State University who specializes in package theft, noted that there are numerous opportunities for this type of crime and that it is relatively easy to commit.

According to Stickle, what makes this crime so unique and likely to keep growing is the fact that it requires very little risk and skill. It is incredibly easy to take a package without any special abilities.

Protecting against porch pirates requires more than just security cameras. Taking additional steps can help guarantee that your packages make it to their destination safely.

Murray suggested signing up for email or text notifications from the major delivery services (U.S. Postal Service, UPS, and FedEx) to be informed when your package is expected to arrive and when it is actually delivered. If you are ordering from Amazon, these notifications are usually automatic.

It is important to stay on top of your emails and texts, according to Murray. He suggested that checking your email more than once a day is necessary.

Once you get the notification that your package has arrived, make sure to pick it up right away or ask a neighbor who is home to get it for you. It is important to not leave packages outside for long periods of time, both during the day and night, according to the expert.

Stickle suggested scheduling the delivery for a time when you know you'll be home. He also proposed having it sent to an alternate address such as your workplace or a reliable neighbor.

Rather than having your package delivered, you can opt to pick it up from a UPS or FedEx store or an Amazon Hub Locker. According to Murray, you may even be able to make this choice after your package has already been shipped.

She stated that in certain situations, you must choose this option when you buy the item or prior to it being sent out.

In the event that your package is taken despite your attempts to protect it, there are a few steps you can take.

If you are looking to get a refund or replacement for a purchase, the first step is to contact the retailer. According to Stickle, they are not obligated to do so, but they may be willing to provide a refund or exchange.

If the initial attempt to resolve the issue is unsuccessful, you may want to consider asking for a refund from the delivery company. However, ConsumerReports.org states that typically the shipper, not the recipient, must submit a claim.

Stickle noted that only a small percentage of people, between 5 and 8 percent, reach out to the police for help.