Package Thefts In Loudoun: Porch Pirates Lurk During The Holidays

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — As consumer buying habits shift to online shopping, porch pirates in Loudoun County 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.

The holidays are prime time for porch pirates. The number of drivers delivering boxes and packages in neighborhoods will be picking up in the next couple weeks, especially with Cyber Monday sales in 2019 reaching new records. FedEx hauled more than 33 million packages Dec. 2, and UPS expects to move more than 32 million goods per day between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

With the increase in deliveries will be a spike in boxes going missing from front doors. Across the country, including in Loudoun County, this type of crime rises during the holiday season. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office recommends several steps to protect delivered items.

• If possible, make arrangements to pick-up packages at a package store or postal service facility.
• If the items must be delivered, ask that packages be left on a back porch or set beside the front porch. This prevents the packages from being visible from the roadway.
• Request a specific delivery time.
• Ask a trusted neighbor to watch for the delivery and have them take it into their house until you get home.
• Use free package tracking options when you place an order. This will help you know when the package was delivered and make arrangements to have it picked up or brought inside immediately. It will also help you confirm that the package that was delivered is now missing.
• If you are expecting a package and it does not arrive as scheduled, follow-up with the carrier immediately.
• Residents are asked to call the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at 703-777-1021 to report any suspicious activity.

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.

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.