New Data by LegalShield Uncovers Behaviors and Experiences in Response to Porch Pirates

As the holiday season approaches, online shopping will increase, leading to a heightened opportunity for porch pirates to steal packages delivered by UPS, FedEx, USPS, Amazon and more. New data by LegalShield reveals consumer habits with package delivery and experiences with porch pirates and package delivery theft.

Consumer habits with package deliveries 

Over half (58%) of survey participants plan to have half or more of their holiday shopping delivered to their residence this year. With a majority sending their packages to their homes, 28% said they do not use proactive methods to protect themselves against package theft. More than half of those surveyed (54%) rarely or never use special instructions for the delivery of their packages.  

Of the participants who utilize tactics that help reduce the incidence of package theft (74%), the most commonly used are home security doorbells and cameras such as a Ring or Google Nest. However, 48% of those that use a Ring or Google Nest security system rarely or never provide special instructions for delivery, leaving their package to sit unattended and not safely secured. 

Even the best proactive steps cannot always prevent package delivery theft, as 39% of participants who are using any of the listed security methods above have had a package stolen from them. 

Understanding the experience of package theft victims 

Of the survey participants who have experienced a package theft (N=387), 68% changed their shopping habits after the incident. Additional experiences by victims of package theft include:

• 66% experienced the theft from a package they instructed to be left on their doorstep.
• 34% felt less safe after their experience with package theft.
• 21% have had it happen in the past month.
• 18% did nothing and accepted the loss after the theft.

The impact of package theft can be meaningful. Almost half (47%) spent a noticeable amount of time to resolve the issue, and 27% said the stolen item was valuable and they lost money. 

Proactive security measures to take to reduce package theft

If setting up a Ring, Google Nest or similar security system is not an option, there are other ways to proactively protect your package from porch pirates. Important security measures you can use include:

• Opting to send packages to a work address instead of a residence.
• Shopping in-person or choosing to pick up at the store.
• Requiring a signature for all packages to be delivered to your residence or work.
• Picking your package up from a delivery locker, such as an Amazon Hub Locker or a Post Office Box. 

Be legal-ready with LegalShield

Package delivery theft can still happen, even when you use security tactics or leave special instructions. With LegalShield, you can have a lawyer at the ready in the instant you need one when it comes to package theft. LegalShield Members can take more immediate action in consumer-related cases when they have a LegalShield plan on-hand and know how to use it. A LegalShield provider lawyer can explain terms and/or provide letters or phone calls on behalf of the member if necessary. 

This LegalShield study was conducted on Nov. 4, 2022. LegalShield surveyed 1,236 adults, 18 and older, who live in the United States. The sample was balanced by age and race, among other demographic variables, according to the U.S. Census.