We are less than a week away from Christmas, which means porch pirates are out in full force ready to snag whatever package is left of the front porch of an unsuspecting home.
It’s a year-round crisis, but the holidays are open season for thieves looking steal anything, regardless of knowing what the package actually contains.
An analysis of FBI and survey data by ecommerce marketing company Omnisend revealed that porch pirates stole $1.8 billion worth of packages from Texans in 2024. This year, estimates are thieves will pilfer around $2 billion from our front porches.
Omnisend said of their findings, “Most stolen items are cheap on their own, but add them up, and retailers and consumers are facing an enormous bill.”
Researchers at the Action Network ranked Texas as the state with the highest volume of residential thefts, based on FBI data from 2023-24.
To avoid becoming a victim of porch pirate theft, Omnisend and the Action Network advise citizens take the following steps:
-Closely monitor deliveries and quickly retrieve packages.
-Schedule deliveries for times when you’ll be home.
-Use delivery lockers or in-store pickup when possible.
-Ask delivery services to hide packages in out-of-sight spots outside your home.
-Install a visible doorbell camera or security camera.
-Coordinate deliveries with neighbors or building managers if you’ll be away from your home when packages are supposed to arrive.
-Request that delivery services hold your packages if you can’t be home when they’re scheduled to come.
-Illuminate the path to your doorstep and keep porch lights on.
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