Porch pirates are opportunistic thieves who exploit unattended deliveries, snatching packages left in plain sight with ease.
An article on preventpackagetheft.com mentions that after experiencing package theft and receiving little help from the police, former NASA engineer and YouTuber Mark Rober took matters into his own hands.
Using his technical expertise, he designed decoy packages to outsmart and expose porch pirates. He has developed four versions of anti-theft glitter bombs, each more advanced than the last as an attempt at turning the tables on these opportunistic thieves.
Exploring the psychology behind package theft reveals a mix of motivations—some porch pirates are driven by the desire for quick, easy gains or the thrill of the act, while others specifically seek valuable items to resell for profit. Let's delve further into the mindset behind this opportunistic crime.
Other potential motivations for porch pirates may include:
A self-proclaimed package thief in Sunnyside shared their frustrations on Reddit about the declining value of stolen goods, noting that recent deliveries mostly consist of inexpensive items like toilet paper and meal kits, unlike previous years when packages were more lucrative. Additionally, they inquired about renting a storage space for their stolen packages, ideally in a safe neighborhood.
The frustration of dealing with porch pirates can be overwhelming, especially when it feels like a targeted attack. An anxious Reddit user shared their experience of repeatedly having their packages stolen while their neighbors' deliveries remained untouched for days. Despite installing a Ring camera and requesting packages be placed in lockers, the package thefts continued.
Their most recent loss was particularly upsetting—a rare pair of discontinued tennis shoes they had eagerly anticipated. The emotional toll of such package thefts goes beyond financial loss, highlighting the disregard porch pirates have for the disappointment and frustration they cause their victims.
Legally, porch pirates can face serious consequences, including felony charges and up to 10 years in prison, depending on state laws. Additionally, if the stolen package was delivered by the United States Postal Service (USPS), the crime becomes a federal mail theft offense as mentioned in an article on Wasserstein-home.com.
For packages delivered by private carriers such as UPS or FedEx, package theft falls under state jurisdiction. Depending on the state's laws, offenders may face charges like petty theft, grand theft, trespassing, or mail theft-specific offenses. Whether the crime is classified as a misdemeanor or felony typically depends on factors such as the value of the stolen package and the individual's criminal history.
What makes package theft so common? The simple answer to this is that package deliveries have become very popular.
In an article on NBCNews.com, F. Diane Barth shares an interviewee’s perspective on package theft:: “You don’t leave your car keys in your unlocked car and assume that no one will bother to steal it, do you?” they asked.“Why should anyone in this day and age believe that they can leave packages unattended outside their homes and not tempt someone else to take them?”
Easy access to packages left on porches and doorsteps are an open invitation for porch pirates to strike.
Porch piracy is becoming an increasing concern for online shoppers. According to data from Security.org, porch pirates have stolen approximately $12 billion worth of delivered goods from homes in the past year alone according to a news article on cbsnews.com.
Author and vlogger Hank Green's research revealed that the psychology behind package theft is quite complex. However, keeping your deliveries safe can be surprisingly straightforward.
One simple yet effective way to keep porch pirates at bay is to make use of package receiving services to receive your online deliveries in a safe and secure ambiance closer to you but not at your doorstep.
Stowfly, a package storage service provider, partners with local shops and stores in your neighborhood to accept packages on your behalf as a secondary address and holds them for you. Your packages are safely held until you’re ready to pick them up at your convenience, eliminating the worry of package theft or missed deliveries.
Say goodbye to the stress of porch pirates stealing your valuable packages. When shopping online, simply select a Stowfly package receiving location that best suits your needs as your delivery address for a hassle-free experience.
An extremely affordable $7.50 subscription covers up to 5 packages per month, while a $15 plan allows for up to 15 packages monthly. Don't miss out on our limited-time offer, enjoy your first month free and experience the convenience of secure, stress-free package pickups at a trusted nearby Stowfly location.
Once your packages are received by our verified location partners you receive a unique pick-up PIN code that needs to be shared with them in order to retrieve your packages. This ensures the safety of your packages and no one else can pick up your packages until the pick-up PIN is shared at our package receiving location.
Avoid letting your precious deliveries fall prey to porch pirates hereafter. With package receiving services by Stowfly by your side, you can shop online with confidence, knowing your packages are safe from porch pirates and always ready for pickup at your convenience.
Find out more details about our package receiving services in NYC here.