What are package thieves called?

porch piracy
The term porch piracy refers to a situation in which an individual steals a package from a porch or other area near the main entrance of a residence before the recipient can retrieve it.

What is a porch pirate?

Multiple nationwide studies suggest that porch piracy — the theft of packages left on their rightful owners’ doorsteps — had been on the rise over the last few years, partly because more Americans are choosing to have their purchases delivered amid the pandemic. “Porch piracy is a low-entry crime.

How do I stop my porch package theft?

Not on my porch: How to avoid package theft

1. Ship it to work. Keep your package off the porch in the first place.
2. Enlist a neighbor’s help.
3. Require a signature.
4. Be proactive.
5. Take advantage of alternative delivery options and alerts.
6. Get technical.
7. Keep your porch clear and visible.
8. Ask for your box to be nondescript.

What do you call people who steal Amazon packages?

When online shopping deliveries increase for the holidays, so do the number of porch pirate thefts. Porch pirates are thieves who steal delivered packages from other people’s porches. You see it happen all over social media, as victims post videos of porch pirates in the act.

What happens if a porch pirate steals your package?

If it appears that your package has been stolen, contact the seller or retailer that sold you the item. Different retailers have different policies and processes for handling stolen items, but you’re usually entitled to a refund or a replacement.

How often are packages stolen from porches?

Porch pirating is a massive issue across the United States, from March to July 2020, 1 in 5 Americans reported a stolen package.

What happens if a package is stolen?

USPS will reimburse you for stolen, lost, or missing packages if the mail was insured. If your package wasn’t insured, then they likely won’t issue a refund. Instead, you’ll want to contact the seller.

How often does porch piracy happen?

Porch piracy is a repeat offense. Apparently, porch pirates do strike the same place twice. Nearly 45\% of theft victims have reported having packages stolen more than once, and approximately 1 in 10 have reported experiencing five or more package thefts.

Does Amazon cover porch Pirates?

Amazon covers most stolen packages through its “A-to-Z” Guarantee Protection. But if you’ve waited two or more business days for a response or the seller is uncooperative, you can file a claim with Amazon and they’ll likely issue a refund. In many cases, retailers will quickly agree to send you a replacement item.

Are people stealing packages off porches “porch pirates”?

I was recently told that people who are stealing packages off of porches are being called “porch pirates”. As someone who has studied maritime piracy, I objected to that characterization.

What would a judge call someone who steals from a porch?

The judge would call them a burglar. The term “porch pirate” seems to have been popularized in the media to attract attention to the problem. That’s what the media is supposed to do, but how they are doing it has unintended consequences. The term “pirate” has specific connotations that separates it from other thieves.

What do you call people who steal packages in the Caribbean?

This is a more accurate picture of what pirates were like in the Caribbean during the late 1600s and early 1700s but that’s not going to be the popular image because Disney is tough to compete with. It is simpler, and more helpful, to call people who steal packages what they truly are: thieves and criminals.

How can I stop thieves from stealing my packages?

New technologies, such as smart locks and smart doorbells, can either deter thieves or completely cut off their access to your packages. And if you aren’t comfortable with these new-fangled gadgets — or with their cost — you can use a variety of simpler strategies to stop thieves the old-fashioned way.