How bad is package theft?

Severity of crime

Package theft is often considered a minor crime that is not worthy of investigation by police.

How serious is package theft?

Package theft is a crime, but the specific charges depend on state and federal laws. If the carrier is the USPS, you're looking at a federal mail theft felony. But stealing a delivery left by a private company like UPS or FedEx falls under state laws like petty theft, grand theft, trespassing, and mail theft.

Do cops actually do anything about stolen packages?

If there have been package thefts in your neighborhood recently, there is a higher likelihood that the cops will investigate the situation. If you're planning on making an insurance claim regarding the missing delivery, a police report can be helpful documentation to have.

Is it common for packages to be stolen?

Nearly 4 in 10 shoppers have had a package stolen before it could be delivered, according to a study commissioned by ValuePenguin. While the number of deliveries ticks upward during the holidays, this data reminds consumers that package theft is a pervasive issue throughout the entire year.

What happens if I steal a package?

Because the post is handled by the federal government, mail theft cases can be heard in federal courts; stealing mail can get a person up to five years in jail.

How Amazon Is Trying To Stop Package Theft

Who pays for stolen packages?

Often, it's up to the seller or retailer to ensure that you receive your package. Thus, anything that happens in transit is the responsibility of the seller; they are responsible if the package is lost or damaged during transit, and usually must replace it or give a reimbursement.

Can you go to jail for lying about not receiving a package?

Is it illegal to say an item wasn't received when actually it was? Yes, it is illegal. You are committing theft and/or fraud. The local laws and the value of the item will determine the punishment, which can include jail or prison, fines and restitution.

Where do most packages get stolen?

Where is package theft most common?

Package Theft Victims

The average value of stolen packages is $112.30. We found that about half (49%) of those who've had a package stolen live in the suburbs; not surprising since 54% of survey respondents live in the suburbs.

Do cameras deter package theft?

Install Front Door & Doorbell Security Cameras

These are any homeowner's best defenses from front-porch package thefts, break-ins, and intrusions. When installed and strategically placed, front door and doorbell cameras can help law enforcement identify thieves.

What happens if someone steals a package from your porch?

You can file a mail theft complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for USPS deliveries. USPS will start your claims process. If your package came through another carrier, contact the sender of the package to initiate a trace process with UPS or FedEx.

What should I do if someone stole my package?

Why do porch pirates steal packages?

Porch pirates likely hope that small packages contain expensive items that can be resold, such as phones, video game systems, sound systems, or computers. Some people might simply have a compulsion towards theft that drives them to seek out the thrill of stealing.

How many Amazon packages stolen?

As Amazon drives more shopping online, Prime members say they receive on average 51 packages a year, and one in three Americans report having at least one package stolen, resulting in $25 million of lost goods and services every day, according to C+R Research.

What is the most reported stolen item in the US?

Cash is always on the top of burglars' wish list. Unlike other most commonly stolen items that need to be resold in pawn shops or on the street, cash can be used directly and quickly without any conspicuous. They even don't need to withdraw the money in an ATM machine.

What item is most commonly stolen?

What is the largest form of theft in America?

Maybe they just think of your average home invasion where someone's television is taken while they're at work. But none of these things come anywhere close to the biggest type of theft in the United States: wage theft. Every year, corporations steal billions of dollars in wages from their own workers.

What does USPS do with stolen packages?

USPS will process your claim, and if they decide it's appropriate, refund both the value of your package and the shipping. This process could take up to a month.

What time of day are packages stolen?

Packages were also most often stolen in the afternoon.

Additionally, many packages arrive around midday. According to the survey, 56 percent of people reported that they've had packages stolen in the afternoon. In the morning and in the evening, reports of stolen packages were close, at 33 and 34 percent, respectively.

Are package thieves caught?

Unfortunately, package thieves often get away with it. In an interview with IndyStar, Sean Stoops, a Police Chief from Indiana, reported that “typically the items that are successfully stolen from the porches do not get recovered.” Another source claims that less than 10% of porch piracy cases lead to police arrests.

Does USPS check packages for drugs?

Typically, a postal worker isn't permitted to open a package in order to see what's inside and if the contents contain anything illegal. To be able to inspect a package, a postal worker or inspector must usually obtain a search warrant based on a reasonable suspicion that the package contains something illegal.

What is considered an illegal package?

These include things like dangerous toys, illegal drugs & other substances, cars without safety features, bush meat, and other similar items. However, sometimes the U.S. Customs can seize a package thinking it contains illegal materials.

How long does a UPS investigation take?

How long will UPS take to investigate damage or find my lost package? Depending on the country, the process to investigate a damaged or lost package generally takes 8 to 15 business day.

What is stealing packages called?

Package theft, also known as porch piracy, is the theft of a package or parcel.

How much money is lost to package theft?

Average Stolen Package Valued at $50

While it's tricky to know the value of what's inside a box until it's opened, thieves in some states are getting luckier than those snatching packages in regions. Overall, the median value of stolen packages nationwide was $50.