LAS VEGAS — With increasing Christmas shopping and Amazon deliveries, the risk of package theft is rising.
Porch pirates are costing Americans an estimated $15 billion in the past year. According to the 8th Annual SafeWise Package Theft Report, over 104 million packages are stolen nationwide, equating to a staggering 250,000 packages stolen per day. It’s not just the consumers who are affected, but also the retailers.
According to the report, the total retail impact of package theft is $22 billion, as retailers replace stolen items or issue refunds to customers.
With the increased seasonal shopping habits, residents are urged to be vigilant. According to SafeWise, eight in ten victims already had some form of deterrent in place, indicating that even with precautions, theft remains a common occurrence.
Experts recommend several ways to reduce the risk of package theft:
- Using delivery tracking
- Installing security cameras and doorbells
- Requiring a signature
- Utilizing discreet delivery options like lockboxes. For example, Amazon offers consumer lockers.
- Requesting that their deliveries be sent to their workplace instead of being left outside their home.
Vigilance and preparation are the best defenses against porch pirates.
