CNET Study: Holiday Shoppers May Have $291 in Deliveries at Risk of Theft. How to Keep Porch Pirates at Bay

If you’re like me, you know the luxury of having a package delivered to your home, especially if you look at the good thing on your couch. As many of us rely on the convenience of online shopping for Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday deals, the risk of deck theft also increases. This year, many consumers are taking steps to ward off porch thieves.

A new CNET survey found that 71% of American consumers have a plan to prevent package theft this holiday season, up from 68% last year. From doorbell cameras to tracking technology, many Americans are scrambling to protect their purchases. That does not scare the experts, especially since parcels are stolen in broad daylight.

“I’m not surprised by that number,” said Ed Burnett, retired vice president of security and global fraud investigations at UPS. “Pocket crime has been increasing every year for many years now, especially during the holiday season.”

Here’s what CNET’s latest research found about holiday package theft and how experts recommend protecting your holiday deliveries this year.

Package theft by numbers

While the majority of US adults (66%) report that they have never had a package stolen, one in six (17%) Americans have had a package stolen in the past year. The survey also reveals that almost one in 10 (8%) have witnessed an attempted theft, and more than one in five (21%) know someone who has been robbed.

The survey found that the average package price for all participants dropped to $291.38 (based on average package prices provided by 2,467 US adults surveyed). This could add up to $76 billion in pockets at risk of theft this season when you spread this number to 262 million people in the US over 18.

It can be difficult to get your money back if your package is stolen, especially if you didn’t pay with a credit card that offers purchase protection to return the items. Experts suggest taking action now to prevent thieves from stealing from your door.

How to protect your packages this holiday season

CNET found that many people plan to be away from home for anywhere from three hours to three days this holiday season, which can be a prime opportunity for backyard thieves to snag packages. Here’s how experts recommend protecting your shipment.

Sign up for tracking and delivery alerts

Deck theft is a “crime of opportunity.” Burnett said. If you can pick up your package within a few minutes of its arrival, you reduce the chance that thieves will have the opportunity to steal from you.

Many US consumers will use tracking technology from purchase to delivery to monitor their holiday purchases. Some shipping and parcel services such as UPS, FedEx, Amazon and USPS provide updates via text or email, and some delivery services also send a photo of where the package was left. Burnett agrees that it’s a great way to track your deliveries, but noted that estimated delivery times aren’t always accurate.

If you’re expecting a delivery, be sure to turn on alerts to make sure you catch it on your doorstep soon after it arrives. If it’s a high-value item, you may choose to require a signature to prevent it from being delivered away from home.

Install a doorbell or home security camera

This year 41% of Americans plan to use surveillance cameras and doorbells to protect their packages, a move Burnett said could deter porch robbers.

If you don’t have a security device, CNET’s home security editor, Tyler Lacoma, recommends sticking with a simple doorbell that can detect packages and send cellphone alerts when they appear or disappear. We recommend checking out the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro and the Arlo Essential Wire-Free Video Doorbell if you’re looking for a wireless option.

These devices will not always prevent theft, but they will provide photos of the crime. If your package is stolen, Burnett recommends filing a police report and sharing the video with law enforcement.

Read more: Video Doorbell cameras are the best

Schedule a package pickup

Lacoma also recommends taking extra precautions to protect your packages if your area has recently experienced package theft.

“If you have recently had a package stolen in your area, you should consider taking another step such as a lockable package delivery box or garage delivery,” said Lacoma.

Most mail delivery services can hold your packages for a few days if you are away from home. For example, UPS has package holding facilities for its UPS My Choice members — free of charge, and allows you to track and hold UPS packages for up to seven days. And Amazon has the keys to shut it down schedule your Amazon package delivery at takeaways like Kohl’s and Whole Foods.

Ask your neighbors for help

Our survey found that 18% of people plan to ask a neighbor to pick up their packages when they’re not at home or watching their homes, a recommendation Burnett doesn’t expect.

If you’re going on vacation or have an important delivery coming in while you’re at work, contact a neighbor to pick you up. Be sure to return the favor if they need help picking up a package while they’re away.

Enter the lock box for package delivery

If your neighbors are not available, you may consider other measures, such as setting up a package delivery lockbox so that carriers can drop off your packages and keep them safe until you get home.

A package delivery lockbox is a box by your front door that has just enough space for the couriers to drop your package and keep it safe while you’re away. Once you’re back home, you can use a key or code to open the box for easy access to your belongings. Sizes and designs can vary, and they usually cost between $200 and $400.

Read more: Prevent Package Theft: 5 Smart Home Devices to Protect Your Delivery

Use Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery

Amazon Prime members with smart garage doors have another option to secure deliveries: Amazon Key. If you’re a Prime member, you can have your items delivered inside your garage using Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery. You will link your smart garage opener to Amazon Key using the app. When checking out Amazon, choose Free Key Delivery.

You will need to be comfortable with letting the delivery driver into your garage. You can add a video camera to monitor the driver and the environment.

Read more: Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras

What to do if your package is stolen

If your package has been stolen, here’s what experts say you should do.

1. File a police report

Burnett said that his biggest concern about thieves who continue to steal packages is the lack of police reports filed as soon as packages are stolen — which means there is a greater chance that the thief will not escape. You will need basic information including shipping information, item description and estimated price. Each state has different laws and penalties for mail theft, but in some states, including Florida and Pennsylvania, mail theft is now a crime.

2. Check the security of the purchase

Next, try contacting the seller to ask for help finding a solution if your package is stolen. If you used a credit card with purchase protection, you may be able to get a replacement or refund. But this credit card benefit may have limits depending on your card issuer — such as maximum purchase amount and number of days since delivery.

“Most purchase protection takes 90 to 120 days, as long as your application is filed within that window,” says CNET credit card editor Evan Zimmer. Make sure you have the right documents your credit card issuer may need to file your claim, he added. For example, a receipt, or in the case of theft, a police report.

4. Let your neighbors know

You may be concerned that your home or neighborhood will be targeted again. Let your neighbors know by calling or texting them if you have their number. You can also try emailing or calling the homeowners association to let them know.

Your community can also be helpful in catching a bad actor when he returns. Try to share as much information as possible including the delivery service and the estimated time it arrived. That way your neighbors can keep an eye on your house and theirs.

How to do it

CNET commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the research. All figures, unless otherwise stated, come from YouGov Plc. All figures, unless otherwise stated, come from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2,467 adults. The work was done between Oct. 28 and 30, 2024. The survey was conducted online. Figures are weighted and represent all US adults (ages 18 and older).