When you order something online, you expect the package to arrive safely, right? Well, according to the statistics, there’s actually a good chance that your deliveries could get swiped by “porch pirates.” Here’s what the numbers have to say.
Nearly one-third of Americans have had a package stolen off their front porch.
One in three. 33%. Three people out of ten. However you choose to look at it, the number of Americans who have had a package stolen off their front porch is staggering. If you’ve ever had a package stolen out from under you, you know how frustrating it can be!
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North Dakota has the highest rate of package theft.
This statistic shocked us, too! You might think that in areas with a more concentrated population, like Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles, would have a much bigger issue with package theft. However, more remote areas are actually at a higher risk because thieves don’t have the same feeling of being watched like they do in the city.
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More than 4,000 customers filed complaints against shipping companies according to Consumer Affairs.
According to this article published in December 2017, over 4,000 customers have had beef with shipping companies and filed complaints. While shipping companies might get the brunt of the complaints about stolen packages, property managers are partially responsible for safe delivery of packages, too.
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Half of Americans know someone who’s had a package stolen from their porch.
A whopping 50% of Americans have had discussions that began something like, “So I ordered something off of Amazon last week. I got a notification that it was delivered to my porch, but when I went out there to check…” Being on either end of the conversation isn’t exactly pleasant.
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The vast majority of package theft happens during the day.
When you think about a burglar, you probably think of someone stalking around in the shadows late at night. However, porch pirates have a different M.O. If your packages are going to get stolen, chances are it’ll happen during the day while you’re at work.
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25.9 million Americans (8%) had a holiday package stolen from their front porch or doorstep in 2017 — up from 23.5 million porch thefts reported in 2015.
Holidays are a time of giving — and stealing, apparently. Nearly 26 million Americans had to go through the ringer with shipping companies and online retailers after having a package stolen this past holiday season. There’s nothing like a little added stress at the busiest time of the year, right?
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These statistics might already be shocking, but with e-commerce on the rise, package theft will continue to be a huge issue. There are plenty of ways to avoid package theft, including security cameras, alarms, lock boxes, and smart lockers. The key is to find the right system that works for you.