Why Do People Steal Packages? Inside the Mind of Porch Pirates

At least in the US, three major sales happen annually: Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. These are the most profitable days for online sellers, raking in $35 billion worth of sales last year in the US alone. These are also the busiest times for delivery companies aiming to fulfill next-day deliveries highly advertised by merchants. Delivery company UPS says it delivered an average of 22 million packages per day in 2023, or roughly 5.7 billion throughout the year. However, sellers and couriers are not the only ones busy during this time of the year.

What are Porch Pirates?

The term "porch pirate" was likely coined on X (formerly Twitter) in the early 2010s, eventually being added to the Urban Dictionary in 2011. According to the crowdsourced online dictionary, a porch pirate is someone "who steals packages off of an unsuspecting customer's front porch or front door." Google saw the searches for the term peak in December 2018, well into the holiday shopping and gift-giving season.

The Rise of Package Theft

With the surge in online shopping comes an increase in package theft. According to the latest statistics from the Chamber of Commerce, 26% of consumers have had a package stolen, and half of the victims live in single-family homes. Experts say missing packages can't dent the home delivery industry despite the alarming numbers. However, delivery companies are bearing the brunt of customers' anger.

Retailers like Forever21 and Shein explicitly say they won't be responsible for missing packages, leaving couriers like UPS and FedEx at the receiving end of customer complaints. Online retailers would rather shoulder the expenses to replace packages stolen than roll out measures to prevent package theft. This can be attributed to the "seamless shopping" image they're selling, wherein all customers have to do is add to cart, checkout, and wait for the items at their doorstep.

To combat the problem of porch pirates, shipping company UPS has started using artificial intelligence to identify areas likely to be targeted by thieves. Called the DeliveryDefense, the program takes the recipient's address and scores it based on how likely packages can be delivered successfully--the higher the score, the safer it is to have a package delivered in that area.

Why Do People Steal Packages? The Psychology Behind

Package thieves typically target small packages they think contain valuable items they could resell. However, a research showed it may be more than the monetary reward.

Thrill Seeking

A person who likes to live on edge may commit package theft for the sheer thrill of getting away with something. Committing a crime--petty or not--and not getting caught gives a package thief a sense of satisfaction and a feeling of being in control. Some people find the unpredictability connected to porch piracy exciting as they have no idea what could be inside the packages.

Addiction

Much like any toxic habit, package theft becomes an addiction to some, especially to those who find the feeling of not getting caught exhilarating. They constantly crave the excitement, until they can no longer live without committing the act.

Comradery

Peer pressure is a contributing factor to the rising cases of package theft, especially among the younger population. Maybe their friends are doing it, and in a desperate act to not be left out, they're forced to commit the crime to feel the sense of belongingness.

Coping Mechanism

According to psychologist Dr. Robert Tyminski, thieves often act in relation to a previous loss as a way to cope. It's an "if I lose something, you should too" scenario where the culprit feels a sense of entitlement to pass on his misfortunes to others.

Dehumanization

Porch pirates often attack homes they're not familiar with. To them, the victims are nameless and faceless, therefore making it a victimless crime. This mindset helps them lighten the gravity of their crime.

What Are the Consequences of a Stolen Package?

While multi-million-dollar businesses won't bat an eye for refund claims, the same cannot be said about small-medium enterprises and startups. According to SafeWise, an estimated $6 billion is lost to package theft yearly in the US, more than half fulfilled by Amazon. There are more than 500,000 US-based SMEs on Amazon. Now, imagine a barely surviving business having to pay for replacements as a result of package theft on top of operating costs.

On the legal side, a porch pirate can be charged with a felony and face up to 10 years in jail, depending on the state where they committed the crime. If the package is delivered by the United States Postal Service (USPS), stealing it is a federal mail theft felony.

For packages delivered by private carriers like UPS or FedEx, the crime is under state law. Those laws might include charges of petty theft, grand theft, trespassing, and state-specific mail theft charges. The severity of the crime (misdemeanor or felony) usually depends on the value of the stolen goods and other factors like prior offenses.

Here is a table summarizing the consequences of package theft across various states:

How to Prevent Package Thefts

While retailers and delivery companies are slow to protect their customers from package theft, you can take matters into your own hands. Here are some home security tips and how to keep porch pirates from stealing your packages:

Install A Home Security System

Installing surveillance systems around your property is the best way to deter package thieves. These systems usually include a network of security cameras that monitor different angles of the home, so you can see all entry points for criminals.

Home security cameras and doorbell cameras are great for preventing package theft. They offer live video and two-way communication, so you can see and talk to whoever is at your front door. The presence of a security camera alone can deter potential thieves because they know they're being recorded. Some video doorbells can also send instant notifications to your phone, so you can take action right away.

Use a Package Delivery Box

These boxes can be installed on your porch or near your front door and are designed to hold packages until you can get to them. Some delivery boxes have smart locks, so delivery drivers can put packages inside and only you have access to the contents.

Use Package Lockers

Many delivery companies now offer the option to have packages delivered to secure lockers. These lockers can be located at local stores, post offices, or specific package locker locations, so your packages are safe until you can get to them.

Request Signature Confirmation

Requiring a signature upon delivery means packages are handed to a person not left unattended. This can be especially useful for valuable or high-ticket items.

FAQ

Is it common for people to steal packages?

Yes, package theft is a common problem, especially during peak shopping times like the holidays. Many people have experienced package theft, as thieves target unattended packages left on the doorstep or porch.

How serious is package theft?

Package theft is a serious crime that can lead to significant financial loss and inconvenience for victims. It is considered a felony in many states, with penalties that can include several years of incarceration.

Do package thieves ever get caught?

Yes, package thieves can be caught, especially with the help of surveillance cameras and vigilant neighbors. Law enforcement agencies often use video evidence to identify and apprehend suspects.