36% of Americans suffer from stolen packages

Data from C+R Research show that over a third of American shoppers have fallen victim to so-called ‘porch piracy’, in a trend which appears to be on the rise as ecommerce continues to require more and more deliveries to homes.

CNBC reports that thieves are now tailgating delivery trucks in order to pick parcels up from doorsteps almost as soon as they’re left there.

For its part, the US Postal Service expected to ship some 800 million parcels in the holiday season, and as rates of theft increase more pressure will be put on homeowners and carriers to come up with secure alternatives.

One of the obvious ways to avoid porch piracy is to not have anything on the porch at all – using pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) locations to securely store items for collection is a theft-proof delivery method that also takes delivery vans off streets to reduce congestion and pollution. However, there is some way to go for carriers and retailers to start building that habit with consumers. The issue of parcel theft is a salient and potent motivator for shoppers which might go some way to kick starting  a change in behaviour.