Overview
- SafeWise estimates roughly 250,000 packages are stolen each day in the U.S., with about $15 billion in goods lost over the past year as holiday deliveries peak.
- New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer has introduced the Porch Pirates Act to make stealing non-USPS deliveries a federal offense punishable by fines up to $250,000 and up to 10 years in prison.
- Recent research highlights geographic hotspots, including Chicago pegged at an estimated $254 million in losses this year and San Antonio at nearly $133 million, with Texas ranked third for financial impact.
- Security.org reports fewer than one in four victims file police reports, with most seeking refunds or replacements from retailers or carriers instead of law enforcement.
- Police and prosecutors say doorbell and security-camera video is strengthening cases and deterrence, even as AI-generated ‘porch pirate’ clips sow online confusion; experts urge delivery alerts, signatures, lockers, or alternate drop-off locations.