Porch Pirates Lurk As Holidays Approach: Tips In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX, VA — As more people trade shopping at malls for online buying, porch pirates become a growing threat. In Fairfax County, porch pirates are lurking, ready to pounce on holiday and other packages left at the door by delivery services. A new report shows 36 percent of Americans had a package stolen at least once in the past 12 months.

Data on package thefts in Fairfax County isn't immediately available. A Fairfax County Police spokesperson told Patch its data management system does not specify types of larcenies such as package thefts. Nevertheless, police urge residents to be extra cautious during the holiday season and offer several tips:

• Require a signature upon delivery. If you can’t be home, consider sending your item to a friend’s home, if they can be available to sign.
• Have the item delivered to your workplace, if permitted.
• Select package pick-up locations if it's an option; you have to go there to get your item but it is securely stored. You also can have the package delivered or held at a carrier location, like a UPS or FedEX facility.
• Closely track your deliveries. Know exactly which day and around what time it’ll arrive. Many carriers offer text and e-mail notifications.
• Use a wireless door monitor that allows you to see your porch. Many services include a Wi-Fi-enabled camera and motion sensors so you can record video of any activity and speak remotely to visitors at your door.
• Ask a driver to put your package in a more inconspicuous location around your home to reduce the likelihood of it being seen and stolen.
• Keep an eye on your neighbor’s home or ask a neighbor to watch for your deliveries. If you’re acquainted enough, you could hold the package in your home; or notify your neighbor their package has arrived if you have their phone number or e-mail.

A recent report by the Chicago-based market research company C+R Research found 92 percent of 2,000 people surveyed expect to get at least one online order delivered to their home this holiday season, and nearly half said they’re worried their packages will be stolen. Some 42 percent said they won’t buy expensive items online, and 32 percent said they’ll do their shopping at brick-and-mortar stores.

The survey revealed that consumers who shopped online at least once during the past 12 months spent an average of $222.

Nearly half of them (44 percent) receive some type of package once a week; and, on average, survey respondents said they get about 45 packages delivered to their home each year. That number is slightly higher — 51 — for Amazon Prime members.

Of those who said their packages were stolen, 56 percent reported a single theft, 22 percent reported two thefts, 10 percent reported three thefts, 3 percent reported four thefts and 9 percent reported five thefts.

The majority of theft victims — 83 percent — said they contacted the seller, and 13 percent reported the theft to authorities. Nearly three-fourths of those who said their packages were stolen reported getting a refund, but those who didn’t spent an average of $109 to replace the pirated good, the survey showed.

The porch pirates usually get away with it. Only 11 percent said the culprits were caught.

Many of those whose packages were stolen took preventative measures, spending an average of $191. One-quarter of people whose packages were stolen installed some type of doorbell camera that records activity at their front doors and allows them to monitor what’s going on remotely.

Another 19 percent installed some other surveillance camera, 17 percent installed motion lights, 10 percent got a dog, 5 percent installed a fence or gate and 4 percent purchased an Amazon smart key, according to the survey.

Despite the availability of security measures such as doorbell cameras, 44 percent of respondents said delivery companies aren’t doing enough to prevent package thefts.

That’s causing some to rethink their online buying habits. The survey showed 42 percent said they avoid buying certain types of items online, and 54 percent fear their online purchases will be stolen.

And although the thought of having a stranger enter their homes is concerning, nearly a quarter of survey respondents said they would prefer packages be left inside the home. About half of online shoppers say they’ll make sure they’re home when their packages are delivered, and 26 percent will choose an option that requires a signature for delivery.

Another 31 percent plan to pick up their packages at a physical store, 14 percent will have them delivered to their workplaces, and 12 percent will have them delivered to a friend or relative.