In 2023, porch pirates stole nearly $16 billion from Americans, proving that package theft is far beyond a holiday problem. The latest report from Safewise.com highlights the cities that have paid the highest price.
Amazon stolen packages have become a frustratingly familiar issue for online shoppers. As the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon offers an extensive range of products, from books and clothing to electronics, furniture, jewelry, movies, pet supplies, toys, and more.
Unfortunately, Amazon packages have become a prime target for porch pirates. As the world’s largest online retailer, the surge in deliveries has inadvertently amplified the risk of package theft, leaving customers seeking secure solutions for their purchases.
Interestingly, solutions like Stowfly’s secure package storage offer robust protection for your online deliveries.
Here are some stories of Amazon stolen packages that highlight the growing issue.
A story highlighted on nypost.com details the ordeal of Matthew Edwardes, who found himself in a fine mess after an Amazon package theft nearly led to a court case. He spent months fighting his local government, which fined him and even threatened legal action over a discarded box for a TV he never received -— likely thrown away by the porch pirate who stole it.
Edwardes’ experience sheds light on the emotional and financial toll these incidents can take. Being repeatedly forced to prove one’s innocence, especially after already enduring the frustration of a stolen package, is deeply unjust. This situation leaves us questioning how many others may have faced similar injustices but lacked the resources or perseverance to fight back.
Doorbell camera footage captured the porch pirate stealing Amazon packages from the porch. Photo Source: Reddit
Another bizarre case of Amazon stolen packages in broad daylight has been shared on Reddit by a distressed user. The doorbell camera footage shows a porch pirate casually walking up to her porch, grabbing multiple packages, and quickly hopping into a nearby parked car.
The user explained how it all unfolded: She had ordered items from Amazon and received a delivery notification while she was at work. Not long after, her doorbell camera alerted her to a movement. Checking the footage, she discovered her package had been stolen. The items? Tampons and a nail removal kit.
She contacted the non-emergency police line to report the theft and later reached out to Amazon, which replaced the items. As for her neighbors, she chose not to share the incident, reasoning there was nothing they could do, and they likely would have spoken up if they’d noticed anything.
While this Reddit user has been fortunate in having items replaced by Amazon, relying on replacements is not a sustainable solution, especially for expensive or urgent items. For essential deliveries, waiting for replacements can be impractical and inconvenient. The process of contacting the carrier, coordinating with customer service, and waiting for replacement items often involves delays, adding to the frustration.
Additionally, even replacement packages are not immune to theft, leaving recipients vulnerable to repeated incidents of package loss. While no solution can completely eliminate the risk of stolen or missing packages, taking proactive measures is always better than facing recurring losses.
Amazon prioritizes customer experience and has set itself apart as a go-to online store. According to statista.com Amazon has emerged as a top choice for holiday shopping in 2024, with around three-quarters of US consumers planning to use the site.
Source: Statistica
While the retail giant works tirelessly to fulfill holiday shopping orders, another group—porch pirates—eagerly awaits deliveries for a different reason. These opportunistic thieves lurk around, ready to snatch any unattended packages left on porches or doorsteps.
When it comes to secure package deliveries, there are several options to consider, each with its own set of advantages and limitations. A few of them are mentioned below:
A PO Box, or Post Office Box, is a locked mailbox available at a post office or similar postal location, offering a secure way to receive mail. Using a USPS mailbox near you allows you to keep your address confidential, offering a convenient solution for individuals or businesses seeking privacy or lacking a fixed address.
However, PO Boxes require in-person visits to the post office for mail retrieval, which can be inconvenient. They come in limited sizes, with the largest measuring only 12 x 22.5 inches, making them unsuitable for larger packages or high volumes of mail. Additionally, renting a PO Box can be costly, especially for larger sizes, as higher rental fees apply. It is also important to note that UPS and standard FedEx services do not deliver to USPS PO Boxes.
Amazon Locker provides a secure pickup location where you can have your Amazon orders delivered for added convenience.
To qualify for Amazon Locker delivery, your order must meet specific criteria. The shipping weight must be under 10 pounds, and the product dimensions should not exceed 16 x 12 x 14 inches. Only items sold or fulfilled by Amazon.com are eligible, with a total value of less than $5,000. Additionally, the order must not include hazardous materials, Subscribe & Save items, products shipping from other countries, or items designated for Release-Date Delivery. Furthermore, Amazon Lockers cannot be used as delivery addresses for wishlists.
Click here for more details about Amazon Locker Pickup Location Eligibility.
Package receiving services by Stowfly offer an alternative solution that’s incredibly convenient, adaptable, and perfectly tailored to your needs. With abundant package storage locations closer to you that work as your secondary address, Stowfly safely receives
You can order packages with dimensions up to 2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft, as long as the weight does not exceed 50 lbs.
Rental plans at Stowfly are budget-friendly, starting at just $7.50 per month for up to 5 packages and $15 per month for up to 15 packages. Plus, for a limited time, you can enjoy a free month of Stowfly package receiving and have your packages conveniently delivered to a local store near you.
With Stowfly, you get a physical street address that allows for easy acceptance of packages from any carrier, including Amazon, UPS, FedEx, USPS, and others. This sets Stowfly apart from PO Boxes, which only accept USPS deliveries, restricting access to packages from multiple carriers. Additionally, package receiving offers a distinct advantage over Amazon Lockers, which only accept items sold or fulfilled by Amazon.com.
Get details on how to receive your first month of Stowfly free of charge here
When it comes to securing your Amazon packages and protecting yourself from the rising issue of porch piracy, it's essential to evaluate the available delivery options based on your unique needs.
Weighing the pros and cons of each option will help you make an informed decision about which best suits your lifestyle and security needs. Don’t let Amazon missing packages spoil your shopping experience—choose the package delivery service that works best for you today!