Package thieves, often referred to as “porch pirates,” are a growing threat to online shoppers.
Over the past year, criminals have stolen nearly $12 billion worth of goods delivered to people's homes data From Security.org, which reviews security products. Security camera footage shows thieves rushing home with packages delivered to the home or even brazenly posing as the homeowner and accepting an item directly from the delivery person.
“He just took your package,” a FedEx delivery person says in a clip showing a thief running away with a package that had been deposited at the recipient's door just seconds earlier.
“I saw a guy, grab the package and walk off stage left,” Illinois resident Don Archer told CBS News about his encounter with the Porch Pirate. In Archer's case, footage captured by a doorbell security camera ultimately led to the arrest of the thief.
Not everyone is so lucky. “I know of at least four homes that packages were taken from,” Archer said.
Porch Pirate Insurance
That's where PorchPulse comes in. For $120 per year, the company will reimburse consumers for up to three stolen packages worth $3,000.
James Moore, CEO of PorchPulse, said the claims process is simple. Members must answer a few questions, including what was stolen, and provide the company with a receipt and shipping tracking number. Coverage includes all types of deliveries from groceries to furniture and electronics.
Moore said it may be easier for criminals to steal from other people's homes than from stores.
He told CBS MoneyWatch, “It doesn't always have to be an experienced criminal or a crime gang. Sometimes it's just an opportunity – there's a Christmas gift on someone's porch, and it could be someone playing a cruel joke.” “Other times, a real crime gang chases FedEx trucks or gets a list of Apple iPhones to be delivered to certain locations on a certain day.”
Consumers can circumvent porch pirates by shipping their purchases to UPS stores, while Amazon allows the e-commerce giant's customers to send packages to the nearest Whole Foods location.
Some local police precincts are also accepting packages from residents, including in Washington, D.C., where people can have them delivered to a locker at a station provided by Amazon.
“It's a good idea – it's not going to do any harm to your city,” Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Chief Silvan Altieri told CBS News. “It provides relief to consumers and your citizens who want that, and you're not taxing manpower or anything like that.”