Online shopping has created a new kind of criminal: the porch pirate.
More people than ever before are taking to the internet to make their purchases. In 2016, 210 million U.S. adults browsed products, compared prices, or purchased merchandise online. By 2021, experts believe the number will be close to 250 million.
Unsurprisingly, that number typically spikes during the holiday season. According to C+R Research, more than 90% of consumers said they expect to have at least one package delivered before the new year. Many of those same shoppers fear their packages could be stolen.
They have good cause for concern. One in 4 adults has fallen victim to package theft in the past year. Among millennials, that victim count jumps to 1 in 3.
Porch pirates tend to target prescription medications and Amazon packages, and a recent survey found that the average loss from a stolen package is about $140.
Law enforcement has yet to find a good way to tackle this problem. Local police investigate only 10% of reported theft cases, and if porch pirates get caught, they usually face minor charges.
As a result, more homeowners are installing porch cameras to keep track of their online merchandise. Doorbell cameras such as Ring, Google Nest, or Vivint have become increasingly popular for various home security reasons, including package theft prevention. These cameras usually cost about $200 — a chunk of change many consumers would rather spend elsewhere.
Porch pirates will inevitably be on the prowl as the holiday season kicks into full gear. Luckily, online services such as Amazon are on top of providing refunds to affected consumers. But police departments nationwide are urging residents to take extra caution this year, whether that means purchasing a doorbell camera, leaving a note for delivery drivers, or communicating with neighbors to make sure that purchases stay put.
After all, you can never be too careful.
