Key takeaways
- Over 1 in 10 Americans experienced package theft in the past year.
- 28% of those who faced package theft encountered it during Black Friday.
- Over 1 in 5 spent more than $100 replacing stolen gifts, while 17% couldn't afford to.
- More than 1 in 20 victims (6%) lost over $500 to porch piracy in the past year.
- 14% of Americans admit to feeling addicted to tracking their packages.
The holiday season is a time for celebration, generosity, and gift-giving—but it's also a peak period for package theft. With the rise of online shopping, porch piracy has become a significant concern for many Americans, impacting not only their wallets but also their holiday traditions.
Drawing insights from a survey of 1,000 Americans, we'll shed light on how package theft affects consumers and the strategies they employ to protect their deliveries during the busiest shopping season of the year.
Stolen gifts upset holiday plans
Package theft affects Americans year-round, but its impact is particularly felt during the holiday season. This section examines how theft incidents disrupt gift-giving plans and impose financial burdens on victims.
Over the past year, more than 1 in 10 Americans reported experiencing package theft. Among these victims, 28% encountered theft during Black Friday shopping and 11% on Cyber Monday—both peak times for online purchases.
For 34% of respondents, holiday gift theft disrupted their seasonal plans. Nearly a quarter (24%) had to give gifts late due to theft, and 17% could not afford to buy a new gift. On average, victims spent $68 replacing stolen gifts, and over 20% had to spend more than $100.
Compensation for stolen packages
Package theft also disrupts lives outside of the annual holiday season, affecting customers and retailers alike.
On average, porch piracy cost shoppers $134.40 in lost goods over the past year. For some, the losses were much higher—6% of victims reported losing over $500 due to stolen packages. Retailers often help to resolve these losses. Many shoppers (61%) received full compensation, and 69% were satisfied with how retailers handled their claims. However, 19% reported receiving no reimbursement.
While most shoppers appreciate retailers' compensation efforts, customer outcomes and satisfaction vary widely depending on the company. Among major retailers, eBay earned the highest customer satisfaction rate for resolving theft issues, with 88% of respondents saying their experience was positive. Target followed at 83%, then Best Buy at 78%, while Amazon trailed with a 75% satisfaction rate.
How shoppers combat package theft
In response to the growing threat of package theft, many shoppers are adopting preventive measures to safeguard their deliveries.
A majority of shoppers (86%) have used some form of theft prevention, with 65% believing their methods are highly effective. Among the most popular approaches, 55% actively tracked their packages. However, the habit of package tracking has become compulsive for some, with 14% admitting they feel addicted to the practice.
More than 2 in 5 shoppers (43%) have relied on video doorbells to monitor deliveries. Most of them—87%—did not experience porch piracy in the past year.
Concerns about package theft have also reshaped shopping behaviors: 1 in 5 shoppers (21%) adjusted their habits to minimize risk, with 13% opting for retailers that offer better delivery security. Another 6% now prefer in-store pickups, while 5% avoid online shopping altogether during peak seasons.
Keeping gifts safe this holiday season
Package theft is a frustrating reality that can disrupt the joy of the holiday season. Beyond the financial loss, it often impacts traditions like gift-giving. Thankfully, shoppers are finding ways to protect their packages, from adopting theft-prevention strategies to choosing more secure delivery options. Addressing these concerns requires continued innovation in both consumer strategies and delivery security so the holidays can remain a time of joy rather than stress.
