At least one societal change stemming from the pandemic lockdowns is right here for the lengthy haul: dwelling supply of packages.
Since customers couldn’t go to retailers throughout the lockdowns, they’d retailers come to them, aided by digital platforms like Amazon.com (AMZN) and by giant industrial supply companies like Federal Express, (FDX) United Parcel Service, (UPS) and the U.S. Postal Service.
That situation is selecting up steam.
With the vacation season underway, greater than 84% of U.S. households anticipate to have a bundle delivered to their doorsteps over the following two months, based on C+R Research’s 2022 Package Theft Report.
Another 55% of households will obtain not less than one supply bundle weekly main as much as Jan. 1, 2023.
Porch Pirates Ready to Strike; States Set Penalties
One unlucky pattern tied to the rise of dwelling bundle deliveries is the rise of the porch pirate — people or organized teams that actually steal packages sitting on doorsteps and porches and in mailboxes.
Package theft from houses is a reliable risk to dwelling dwellers, who lose, on common, $112 for every stolen bundle, the C+R report estimated.
“So far in 2022, 14% of Americans have fallen victim to porch pirates – some more than once,” the report added. Fully two-thirds (67%) of households “have had one package stolen, 22% have had two, and 11% have had three or more stolen.”
Additionally, a third (34%) of Americans know someone who had a package stolen this year, and some 20% know a neighbor who had a package stolen.
“Having a package stolen can be frustrating and confusing for customers, especially when trying to figure out how to replace the stolen goods,” the C+R study stated.
“When asked if they think delivery companies are doing enough to prevent package thefts, almost half of Americans (48%) say no. And likewise, just about the same proportion believe retailers are not doing enough either.”
Virtually all U.S. states punish this particular kind of property theft.
“In Arizona, a person convicted of stealing packages worth up to $1,000 can receive a penalty of a class 1 misdemeanor,” said LionHeart Security Services CEO Bill Herzog. “If the package is over $1,000, they can be charged with a felony.”
Other states have enacted more severe laws.
“Texas created a law that made stealing packages off of someone’s porch a felony offense with a penalty of six months to 10 years in jail and a fine ranging between $4,000 and $10,000,” Herzog told TheStreet.
“Michigan created a law making the first offense of porch piracy a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to a year in jail. If caught on a second offense the pirate is looking at felony charges and a prison term of up to five years in jail.”
How Consumers Can Fight Porch Piracy
How can consumers fight back against home package theft? Home-security experts advise locking down package theft with these strategies.
Be quick. If you know a package is expected to be delivered, be diligent about collecting it as soon as possible to minimize the chance that someone will steal it. “That’s why most people (60%) keep a close eye on delivery tracking and 43% sign up for delivery alerts,” the C+R report stated.
Be creative. The C+R report also noted that half (51%) of package-delivery consumers stay home when they expect packages to be delivered.
“Still others take different preventive approaches, such as installing a camera doorbell, sending the package to their workplace or a relative’s home, or opting to pick up their online order in the store,” the study added.
Be neighborly. Speaking with your neighbors lets them know to be on the lookout for suspicious people who might be hanging around and looking to steal packages, Herzog noted.
Be armed with an Amazon dropbox. If you’re a regular Amazon customer, know that the online retail giant will deliver the package to a designated Amazon box. “You’ll be provided with a code so you can pick the package up,” Herzog stated.
Be diligent. Schedule bundle deliveries for the weekends.
“Seek out delivery methods that require a signature, which is a great option for higher priced or valuable items,” stated Hippo dwelling insights skilled Courtney Klosterman.
“Remove them from your porch as soon as possible and encourage delivery drivers to place packages behind a plant, piece of furniture, or other structure on your porch.”
Be quick with law enforcement. If you do become a victim, contact the police immediately and the delivery company.
“If you have security camera footage, turn that over to the police,” Herzog added. “Also, ask your neighbors if their cameras picked up any footage of the thief.”
Source: www.thestreet.com”