It is estimated that 36% of Americans have, at least once, had a package stolen from outside of their house. Sadly, it is quite common for people to seize the opportunity when they notice a package left on a doorstep or a porch. These people are often referred to as porch pirates.
How common are porch Pirates?
Unfortunately, porch pirates are far too common just about everywhere. In bigger cities, you can imagine the problem is worse. The New York Times reported nearly 90,000 packages go missing daily.There are people who will have devices on their porch where you can lock things away and have a padlock.
What do you do if you see a pirate on a porch?
What to do if a package is stolen from your porch
- Step 1: Track the package.
- Step 2: Check if your neighbors saw it or held onto it for you.
- Step 3: Contact the seller or retailer.
- Step 4: File a claim with the shipping company.
- Step 5: Use the purchase protection features on your credit card.
Is porch piracy a crime?
Current law provides that a theft of a package from the porch or entryway of someone’s home is considered a misdemeanor. SB 358 would allow prosecutors to charge a “porch pirate” with a misdemeanor or with a felony in the third or subsequent conviction during a 36-month period.
What does a porch pirate mean?
What Is a Porch Pirate? The term porch pirate is used to refer to people who steal packages from other people’s homes.Some people might simply have a compulsion towards theft that drives them to seek out the thrill of stealing.
How do you stop a pirate porch?
Take advantage of package tracking
The simplest way to avoid porch pirates is to use this tracking information to retrieve your package once it’s delivered. If you’re not able to be home during the delivery, you can also have someone else keeping an eye on your doorstep that day.
What is a porch?
Generally, a porch is a covered area that is attached to the entrance of a building. A porch typically has open sides and offers an easy transition between the indoors and outdoors.
Why are there package thieves?
Actually, thieves don’t know. They are gambling on the fact that high-end items are often shipped to people’s homes. They perceive the potential reward is greater than the risk. When the risk factor is increased, like attempting to access a delivery box, they begin to gamble less often.
How common is package theft?
It’s more common than you think.
Porch pirating is a massive issue across the United States, from March to July 2020, 1 in 5 Americans reported a stolen package. And the majority of package theft 40% occurs in an apartment building or community.
Is stealing a package a crime?
Package theft is often considered a minor crime that is not worthy of investigation by police. In most circumstances, once a package is delivered the resident would be considered the victim of a theft, but delivery companies and retailers often provide refunds or replacements; which impacts the entire supply chain.
Why do people become porch Pirates?
When someone does something they know is wrong, their heart rate will rise. Their blood pressure will spike. They will feel an adrenaline rush which can lead to a feeling that is very similar to a high. Because of this, many porch pirates steal purely for the thrill.
Where did the term porch pirate come from?
A porch pirate is someone that steals newly delivered packages from other people’s porches, hence the name. They often target larger packages, which may indicate a higher value item. The phrase porch pirate dates back to the early 2010s. It was entered on Urban Dictionary in 2011 and debuted on Twitter in 2011.
How much do porch pirates steal?
This equates to about 35.5 million Americans and an average value of $156.82 being reported stolen.
Package theft victims by generation.
| Generation | Total value of lost stolen packages in the past year |
|---|---|
| Silent Gen | $35,727,653 |
Do cameras deter porch Pirates?
Domestic violence also increases around the holidays, he said. To prevent porch piracy, Holt recommended doorbell cameras, which deter thieves and record information if a package is stolen.
Who is liable for porch Pirates?
The key parties involved in getting a package to a consumer are the Seller, the Delivery Company, and the Buyer. Unfortunately, if the package cannot be retrieved, there are no clear laws that put the onus on any one party.
Are porches American?
To the south in Africa, porches were present in the shotgun houses of West Africa. Finally, by the early eighteenth century, porches appeared in the Americas. One century later, porches had become an integral element of American architecture.
Who invented the porch?
The modern porch came to be approximately 125 years ago, when porch just meant a covered entry over a door. The portico, the precursor of all porches, originated in ancient Greece as a formal framing device that defined an entryway and created an appearance of authority.
Who owns porch?
Matt Ehrlichman
In some form or another, Porch’s tools are now used either directly or indirectly by two-thirds of U.S. homebuyers every month. As Porch founder and CEO Matt Ehrlichman told me, he had originally planned to take his company public through a traditional IPO.
Is taking packages illegal?
Package Theft May Constitute Burglary or Federal Charges
A person could also face federal charges for stealing a package from someone’s property. Mail theft is in violation of 18 U.S. Code § 1708, and this offense carries harsh penalties, including up to five years’ imprisonment for each offense.
Is stealing a package a felony?
Stealing packages had been a misdemeanor. By making it a Class D felony, it can put people who are convicted behind bars for up to six years, KTHV reported.Taking them from a driveway, garage or even a delivery truck can be considered a felony, KATV reported earlier this year.
How many packages get stolen each day?
Every day 1.7 million packages are stolen or lost in the US, costing businesses $25 million daily. Despite some retailers and package delivery companies making an effort to stop porch piracy, much of this burden is still put on the consumer. So with this is mind, here are some ways you can prevent package theft.
Contents