How common is package theft in the United States?

Package theft is extremely common. Industry surveys estimate that over 100 million packages are stolen from American porches each year, costing consumers and retailers billions annually. The FBI classifies package theft as a property crime, and reports have risen steadily alongside the growth of e-commerce. A majority of Americans have experienced at least one stolen package. The problem is worst during the holiday season, when delivery volumes spike and packages sit on porches for longer periods.

Do video doorbells actually prevent package theft?

Video doorbells are an effective deterrent but not a complete solution. Research shows that homes with visible security cameras experience significantly fewer property crimes. Ring reports that neighborhoods with active video doorbell usage see measurable reductions in package theft and other property crimes. However, determined thieves may still steal packages from homes with cameras. The real value is threefold: deterrence, evidence collection for police reports and insurance claims, and real-time alerts that let you ask a neighbor to retrieve the package or communicate with the delivery driver.

What is the best way to prevent packages from being stolen?

The most effective approach combines multiple strategies. Install a video doorbell for deterrence and alerts. Use a package lockbox or secure delivery container on your porch. Require signature confirmation for high-value items. Use delivery instructions to request packages be left in a hidden location. Sign up for Amazon Locker, UPS Access Point, or FedEx Hold at Location for valuable orders. Coordinate with neighbors to retrieve packages quickly. According to the USPS, packages left on a porch for more than two hours are significantly more likely to be stolen than those retrieved within 30 minutes of delivery.

What should I do if a package is stolen from my porch?

Act quickly. First, check your video doorbell or security camera footage and save any recordings of the theft. File a police report -- many departments accept these online. Contact the retailer or seller and request a replacement or refund; most major retailers including Amazon have policies for stolen packages. File a claim with the shipping carrier: USPS, UPS, and FedEx all have claims processes for lost or stolen packages. Check your credit card's purchase protection benefit, as many cards offer coverage for stolen items within 90 to 120 days of purchase. Report the theft to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov if part of a larger fraud scheme.

Are package lockboxes worth buying?

Yes. Package lockboxes are one of the most effective physical deterrents against package theft. Products like the Package Guard provide a secure container that delivery drivers can open to place packages inside but that cannot be opened again without a code or key. They typically cost between $50 and $200, which pays for itself after preventing even one stolen package. Some homeowner insurance policies offer discounts for homes with package security measures. For apartments, check if your building offers package lockers or a secure mailroom as an alternative.

Package Theft Prevention: Stop Porch Pirates (2026 Guide)

The Scale of Package Theft

Package theft has become one of the fastest-growing property crimes in America. Survey data estimates that over 100 million packages are stolen from porches each year, costing consumers and retailers billions annually. The FBI classifies porch piracy as a property crime, and USPS reports that theft complaints have climbed steadily as e-commerce volumes surge year over year.

Nearly 79% of Americans have experienced at least one stolen package, and the problem intensifies during the holiday season when delivery volumes spike. With the average U.S. household receiving more than 50 packages per year, the question is not whether you will be targeted — it is when. A layered approach combining technology, physical barriers, and smart delivery habits can dramatically reduce your risk.

Video Doorbells: Your First Line of Defense

A video doorbell is the single most impactful upgrade for package security. Research has found that homes with visible security cameras experience significantly fewer property crimes. Video doorbells serve three critical functions: deterrence, real-time alerts, and evidence collection.

Deterrence: A visible camera discourages opportunistic thieves. Most porch pirates target easy, unmonitored porches and move on when they spot a doorbell camera.
Real-time alerts: Motion detection sends instant notifications to your phone so you can ask a neighbor to grab a package or speak directly to the driver through two-way audio.
Evidence collection: Recorded footage is critical for police reports, insurance claims, and retailer refund requests.

Package Lockboxes and Secure Delivery Containers

A package lockbox is the most effective physical barrier against porch piracy. The delivery driver opens the container, places your package inside, and the box locks automatically. No extra steps for the driver.

Package Guard lockbox: Features a one-way drop door — the driver lifts the lid, drops the package, and the lid locks shut. Only you can open it with your key or combination.
Anchored porch boxes: Bolt-down models that attach to your porch or concrete prevent the entire box from being carried away. Look for weather-resistant, rust-proof construction.

Lockboxes typically cost between $50 and $200 — an investment that pays for itself after a single prevented theft. Some homeowner insurance policies offer premium discounts for visible anti-theft measures on your property.

Delivery Instructions and Alternative Pickup

You do not have to accept the default of a package sitting on your front porch in plain sight. Every major carrier offers tools to control where and when your packages arrive.

Carrier Delivery Instructions

USPS Informed Delivery: A free service that provides tracking notifications and lets you set custom delivery instructions for your mail carrier, such as leaving packages at a side door or behind a planter.
UPS My Choice and FedEx Delivery Manager: Redirect packages to a neighbor, hold them at a facility, or schedule a specific delivery window that fits your schedule.
Require a signature: For high-value items, signature confirmation prevents the carrier from leaving packages unattended.

Alternative Pickup Locations

Amazon Locker: Free self-service kiosks located at convenience stores, grocery stores, and other retail locations across more than 15,000 U.S. sites. You receive a unique pickup code when your package arrives.
Ship to your workplace: If your employer allows it, shipping to work eliminates porch exposure entirely and ensures someone is present to receive the delivery.
UPS Access Point and FedEx Hold at Location: Both carriers partner with local businesses to serve as secure pickup points at no additional cost.

Smart Home Solutions

Smart Locks with Delivery Access

A smart lock lets you grant temporary, one-time access codes to delivery drivers so they can place packages safely inside your home rather than leaving them on the porch. This approach works best when paired with an interior camera for verification.

Yale Assure smart lock: Supports one-time access codes, auto-lock after entry, and integrates with smart home platforms for remote management. You receive notifications when the code is used.
Keypad smart locks: Models from multiple manufacturers let you create guest codes with time restrictions, so a code works only during your expected delivery window.

In-Garage Delivery

Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery lets drivers open your garage door, place packages inside, and close it — all while you watch via a connected camera. It works with most garage door openers through a myQ smart garage hub. This keeps packages completely out of sight and protected from weather.

Community Strategies

A connected community is one of the strongest deterrents against porch piracy. Thieves prefer quiet streets where no one is watching.

Neighbor agreements: Coordinate with trusted neighbors to retrieve each other's packages when one household is away. Even a simple text message system can prevent hours of porch exposure.
Package alert groups: Use Nextdoor, neighborhood group chats, or Ring Neighbors to share real-time reports of suspicious activity and recent thefts in your area.
Community watch programs: The National Neighborhood Watch program, supported by the National Sheriffs' Association, provides free organizing resources. Active watch communities consistently report lower property crime rates.

What to Do If a Package Is Stolen

Act quickly. The sooner you report, the better your chances of receiving a replacement or refund.

Check your doorbell footage. If you have a Ring Video Doorbell or other camera, save any clips showing the theft. Note the time, a description of the thief, and any vehicles visible in the frame.
File a police report. Many departments now accept reports online. A police report creates an official record that retailers and insurance companies require before processing claims.
Contact the retailer. Amazon, Walmart, Target, and most major retailers have stolen package policies. Amazon's A-to-Z Guarantee covers most purchases delivered by their drivers.
File a claim with the carrier. USPS, UPS, and FedEx all have claims processes for lost or stolen packages. You will need the tracking number and proof of the item's value.
Share footage with your community. Post doorbell camera clips to neighborhood groups so others can watch for the same individual. Porch pirates often hit multiple homes on the same street.

The 30-Minute Rule

According to USPS data, packages left on a porch for more than two hours are significantly more likely to be stolen than those retrieved within 30 minutes of delivery. Set up delivery notifications on your phone and aim to bring packages inside as quickly as possible. If you cannot be home, use a Package Guard lockbox, an Amazon Locker, or ask a trusted neighbor to grab your delivery. A layered approach — combining a video doorbell, a secure container, and smart delivery instructions — gives you the best protection against porch piracy.

Package Theft Prevention: How to Stop Porch Pirates