Online shopping has become part of daily life for many Americans, but the convenience of home delivery also comes with the risk of package theft. Porch pirates (people who steal packages from doorsteps) threaten both buyers and sellers. Package theft causes companies to lose money since they have to replace the stolen items and frustrates consumers who have to wait longer to receive their orders.
So, how often do porch pirates get away with stealing packages? In this guide, we’ll look at the prevalence of porch pirates and how to keep your packages safe. From security cameras to strategic delivery planning, we’re here to help protect your home. We’ve also included steps to take if you fall victim to porch piracy.
Porch piracy in America
The rise of online shopping has been a defining trend of the past decade, but the pandemic accelerated this shift in consumer behavior. As people spent more time at home, they also spent more money online, leading to a surge in package deliveries.
The fear of having packages stolen from doorsteps has become a widespread issue throughout the United States, leaving many consumers feeling vulnerable and frustrated. Half of Americans have had a package stolen or know someone who has. Among those getting deliveries during the holiday season, that number increases to 80%.
Unfortunately, porch pirates can be very difficult to catch for a number of reasons. First, only 68% of homeowners have outdoor security cameras. Without cameras, it is nearly impossible to catch a porch pirate.
Security cameras and doorbell cameras can greatly increase the chance of catching a package thief. Details such as hair color, height, clothing color, and car color can all help law enforcement find the culprit.
Even with security cameras, catching porch pirates or recovering your stolen items can still be hard. Unless the thief returns to the area, it can be challenging for police to locate the porch pirate. And if they catch the porch pirate, your stolen package may have already been sold or disposed of.
The difficulty of catching a porch pirate doesn’t mean it’s difficult for victims to get help. Many delivery companies and retailers will replace or refund the item even if the porch pirate is never found.
Let’s be neighbors.
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Porch piracy by state
Some places experience higher rates of package theft than others. Urban areas tend to see more package thefts than rural areas, likely because urban areas have more front porches near one another, making it easy for a thief to steal packages from multiple houses at once.
Last year, Vermont, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Wyoming, and Maryland were the states with some of the country’s highest porch piracy rates. Regionally, the Northeast and the Great Plains had the highest porch piracy index (PPI) scores. New York was also home to several cities with remarkably high scores.
States in the South and Midwest tended to have lower PPI scores. However, some cities had high PPI scores even though their home states had low PPI scores. For example, New Jersey’s state PPI score was relatively low, but Jersey City had a high PPI score. Similarly, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas had low state-level scores, but some of their cities had high scores.
Even if you live in a state with a low PPI, you should still use caution when getting packages delivered to your home. This is particularly true during the holiday season, the peak time for deliveries and package theft.
How to prevent porch pirates
You can reduce the risk of your package getting stolen in several ways. We’ve compiled a list of strategies and tools to protect your packages.
Schedule deliveries
Many delivery services let you schedule when you want your package to be delivered. You can schedule your delivery for a time you know you’ll be home, so your package will never sit unattended, sometimes within windows of one to two hours. Still, a delivery person can face delays due to traffic, weather, or other unforeseen problems, so packages may not always arrive during your specified timeframe.
Set delivery alerts
Most delivery companies will send you notifications when your package is delivered, usually requiring you to sign up through their website or app. You can get an email, text, or smartphone notification as soon as your package is dropped off. Some apps also let you track your package’s location in real time.
Use lockable parcel boxes
If you can’t be home for any delivery times, you could install a secure lockbox or lockable parcel box at your home. There are a few different types of lockboxes.
One option is a lockbox that allows the delivery person to open the top of the box and place the package inside. When the delivery person closes the box, it slides down an incline to the bottom, where it’s unreachable until you return and unlock the bottom with a key.
Another option is a box like this with a keypad instead of a key. You can give the code to the delivery driver as part of the delivery instructions. When the driver arrives, they can unlock the box and put the package inside. Then, when you arrive home, you can unlock the box and get your package.
Get neighbors involved
If you have a neighbor you trust who tends to be home when you are not, you can ask them to get your packages for you. It helps if you offer to return the favor for them, keeping everyone’s packages secure while fostering community.
Add home security features
Many home security products can help deter and even identify porch pirates. A few good options include:
Doorbell cameras. A doorbell camera is your first line of defense against porch pirates. The Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro has advanced person detection that identifies visitors on your front porch and two-way audio that lets you talk directly to whoever is at your door. This means you can also interact with your delivery driver when you’re not home.
Motion sensor lights. Lights that automatically turn on when they sense motion can also prevent package thieves. Many package thefts are crimes of opportunity—thieves usually steal packages when they can do so easily and discreetly, such as when it’s dark. This is a common issue during the holiday season when it can get dark quite early, and consumers get many packages delivered to their homes. Lighting up your front porch as a potential porch pirate approaches can deter them from targeting your home.
A home security system. A comprehensive home security system combines the power of things like motion sensor lights and doorbell cameras with other smart security devices such as smart locks and garage door openers. Together, these components offer strong protection for you, your home, and your packages.
Ship to a more secure delivery location
If your home is somewhere hard to keep your packages safe from thieves, such as on a busy city block or apartment building, you can get packages delivered to a safer location elsewhere. This is also a good option if you are often away from your home during typical delivery hours. For instance, you can send your Amazon packages to a nearby locker where you can pick them up at your convenience. Local postal services will also hold them in a secure space until you can retrieve them—you just need to arrange this with the carrier.
These technological advancements, in combination with traditional preventive measures, are a robust defense against package theft.
Security cameras are a great way to deter porch pirates. When potential package thieves see your cameras, they’re less likely to target your house.
If they ignore them and steal your packages anyway, security cameras are a great way to potentially help catch these criminals. A doorbell camera is another option to record anyone approaching or interacting with your package. Put a security camera or doorbell anywhere you get your packages delivered.
During the winter and holiday season, your deliveries may arrive at your home in the dark. This is where color night vision comes in handy to help you see clothing, hair, or car color—identifying factors that are hard to see in low light.
Consider investing in a spotlight camera for a solution that combines surveillance and deterrence. These devices have motion sensors that trigger the camera to start recording and activate a bright light whenever movement is detected. The sudden illumination can startle and discourage potential porch pirates, preventing them from following through with the theft.
What to do if you are a victim of package theft
If you’ve fallen victim to porch pirates and had a package stolen, it’s normal to feel upset and frustrated. To increase your chances of recovering your stolen packages, it’s crucial to start the process of documenting and reporting the theft as soon as possible.
Report the theft to the police
The first step after noticing your package is missing is to file a report with your local law enforcement. Even if the stolen package wasn’t expensive, filing a report is important. The information from your case can help the police identify patterns of porch piracy in your area.
Notify the delivery company
Inform the carrier or shipping company (UPS, FedEx, USPS, etc.) about the package theft. Some delivery companies require their drivers to take photos when delivering packages, which can serve as evidence and help establish a timeline of when the theft occurred. Additionally, some carriers offer refunds or replacements for stolen packages.
Contact the retailer
After contacting the delivery companies, reach out to the store or seller from whom you purchased the item. Many retailers will replace or refund stolen items, especially if you provide a police report.
Check your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance
Some insurance policies cover stolen packages. Review your policy or contact your provider to determine if you are eligible for coverage. If covered, you may receive compensation to replace the stolen item.
While it’s impossible to prevent all crimes, knowing the steps to take if you become a victim of package theft can help minimize the damage. The best approach is to take action as soon as you discover the theft.
As online shopping grows, so does the challenge of protecting delivered packages from porch pirates. Managing delivery times, collaborating with neighbors, and installing security cameras are effective ways to deter package thieves. If you do experience package theft, reporting the incident to the police, delivery companies, and retailers can potentially get you compensated and help decrease your chances of porch piracy from happening in the future.
If you’ve had enough of porch piracy, Vivint is here to help. Vivint has everything you need to protect your porch, from the Doorbell Camera Pro that safeguards your packages to the Spotlight Pro that lights up to deter intruders. And with professional installation included as part of every Vivint system, your home security system will be up and running in no time.
Call us at 855.822.1220 for a free consultation today.
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