Goodbye to 'Porch Pirates': This is what you can do if your Amazon packages keep getting stolen from your door
During the Christmas shopping season, the activity of the so-called “Porch Pirates”, thieves who steal packages from the door of your house, multiplies.
With the rise of online shopping, a new form of crime has arrived that takes place right at your doorstep. They are the so-called “porch pirates”. Thieves who take packages from your porch once they have been delivered by the courier company.
According to Security.org, $12 billion worth of goods delivered to people’s homes were stolen last year. 8 million Americans have been victims of these criminals over the past 12 months.
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How do porch pirates operate?
As can be seen in countless clips recorded by security cameras at the doors of homes, the most common way is to hover around waiting for the package to be delivered. If the recipient is not at home and the shipment is left at the door, the Porch Pirates directly approach and take the package.
Another common way they act is to intercept the person making the delivery posing as the recipient of the shipment.
According to Security.org data, these thefts occur more frequently in the later months of the year during the holiday season. “Over 10 million Americans had $2 billion worth of parcels stolen in the last three months alone. Increased holiday activity is sure to accelerate porch piracy and jeopardize year-end festivities” says the report.
In addition, the types of dwellings that suffer most from this type of crime are apartments, more than twice as often as houses. The states in which porch piracy is most prevalent are Kentucky, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Alaska.
How to protect your packages from porch pirates
The specialized website Security.org makes several simple recommendations. The first is to install a security system. Internet-enabled doorbell cameras allow you to see what is going on at your front door when you are away. If you also install a camera that is visible from the outside of the house focusing on the door, in addition to being able to catch the thief in the act and help to identify him, it can serve as a deterrent so that the pirates think twice.
Another option is to try to schedule the delivery at a time when you will be at home. This way, the packages will not remain exposed at the door. If this is not possible, it is recommended that you choose an alternate address, such as your office or a relative, neighbor or friend who will be home.
Some local police precincts, including Washington D.C., are accepting packages from neighbors, providing lockers for that purpose.
Specialized companies such as PorchPals offer insurance against porch piracy. For $120 a year, the company will reimburse up to three stolen packages worth up to $2,000 each.
Whichever method you choose, with busy weeks ahead for courier companies like Amazon, UPS or FedEx, it’s a good idea to be cautious and make things difficult for these urban pirates with long hands.
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