Yo, ho, ho! The magic of the holiday season is here. The calendar is packed, which is equal parts fun and exhausting. If you’re anything like me, it’s easy to circumvent the holiday stress with one click and three glorious words… “add to cart.” 

Online shopping is a fabulous convenience. Let’s be honest, the rapid growth of e-commerce spoils us year-round as packages are steadily delivered to front doors across the country. Unfortunately, those parcels also provide the perfect opportunity for porch pirates looking to plunder, especially during the holidays. 

In 2022, over 21 billion parcels were delivered in the U.S., according to Pitney Bowes. To break it down, that equals 58 million parcels delivered per day – or 162 parcels per household last year. 

While no national database exists to track package theft, surveys suggest nearly 80% of Americans had a package stolen in 2022. This comes from studies conducted by SafeWise and Forbes, estimating anywhere from 119 to 260 million stolen packages. That’s a lot of loot! 

It is also billions of lost dollars, with most stolen packages valued at $50-100. And this isn’t just a big city problem. 

Package theft is also an issue in the rural Midsouth where SafeWise lists the Memphis metropolitan area, covering 11 counties in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, as the second worst U.S. metro for stolen packages. Furthermore, Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas were respectively ranked by Forbes as the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth worst states for porch pirates in 2023. 

So, what can we do to prevent our packages from being pillaged? Here are four security measures to protect your deliveries.

1. Track the package.

Use tracking numbers to keep an eye on shipping and delivery updates. Most online venders send this information in an email, and some even provide text message notifications. This tells when a delivery arrives at your doorstep and minimizes its time unattended.  

2. Install home security features.

Security measures like video doorbells, visible surveillance cameras, and motion detection lights are great options to deter porch pirates.  

Take it a step further by accepting deliveries in a porch lockbox, smart mailbox, or locked parcel bag. As a bonus, these options also protect packages from the weather. 

 3. Coordinate with neighbors and your delivery driver.

If you are expecting a delivery when you are away from home, give special instructions for the delivery driver to conceal the package or leave it with a neighbor. 

Additionally, most major couriers offer delivery management on their websites, allowing you to reschedule, redirect, or require a signature for your delivery. 

 4. Report package theft.

If you suspect a package was stolen, start by contacting the seller and shipper to confirm the theft and inquire about replacement policies. Also, reach out to your neighbors and report the crime to local authorities so they can be on the lookout for suspicious activity.