Porch Pirates: What Are They and How Can You Stop Them?

Porch pirates are always on the lookout for unattended deliveries, ready to grab your latest purchase the moment you’re not looking.

Package theft is a growing problem, but there are ways to stay ahead of it. Learning how to prevent package theft with smart security systems like cameras and motion lights can help deter thieves while ensuring your deliveries stay safe until you bring them inside.

What Are Porch Pirates?

What are porch pirates, exactly?

A porch pirate is someone who steals packages that have been delivered to your home. They tend to be opportunistic—sneaking around neighborhoods, keeping an eye out for those telltale signs of an online shopping spree: a neatly placed delivery box sitting for just a little too long on your porch, waiting for you to get home.

If it's left unattended for long enough, they're likely to swoop in, grab it, and take off.

These porch pirates' tactics are simple: They typically wait for delivery trucks to drive off, and then they quickly grab the package. Sometimes, they’ll even follow delivery vehicles around, scouting for packages and making a quick getaway once the package is left unattended. They have eyes everywhere, and unfortunately, it’s a widespread issue.

A 2024 survey reported that 41% of participants had been a victim of porch piracy—a percentage that increased by 6% in two years.

Gen Z are the most prominent victims of package stealing, with 46% having experienced theft. That may be because of where they live: Those living in apartment buildings and townhomes are more likely to lose a package to pirates, compared to those in single-family homes.

Unfortunately, porch pirates aren’t slowing down. While some legislators are fighting to make package theft a federal crime with the Porch Pirates Act, , it’s still important to establish systems to protect your home from cunning thieves, whether you’re awaiting a package, a meal delivery, or a grocery drop.

The Best Ways to Prevent Package Theft at Your Home

Don’t wave the white flag yet—porch pirates are rampant, but they’re not unstoppable.

Wondering how to stop porch pirates? With some proactive planning and helpful tools and tech, you can effectively safeguard your deliveries.

Smart Security Measures

Smart security cameras are a great deterrent for any would-be thieves. Porch pirates don’t want to be caught on tape, so merely the presence of a camera can discourage them from stealing your package.

Look for cameras with:

• Motion detection, to identify intruders
• Two-way audio, to see and communicate with anyone lurking near your front door
• Day-to-night vision, for 24/7 visibility
• Wide-angle lenses, for a full scope of your front yard
• Bluetooth connectivity, to monitor your home wherever you are

Another simple step? Use delivery instructions to specify a safer drop-off location. Many delivery services like UPS, FedEx, and Amazon allow you to customize where your package is left. You can request it be placed behind a gate, under a bench, or on a back porch. You might even want to consider having packages delivered to your workplace or a nearby locker if that’s more convenient. This way, your package is less visible to potential thieves.

How myQ Smart Garage Delivery Can Stop Porch Pirates

When it comes to keeping your treasures safe, myQ Smart Garage Delivery provides game-changing solutions. We’re talking about a tech-savvy system that lets you safely receive packages right inside your garage. No more worrying about deliveries sitting out on the porch waiting to be snatched up.

With myQ, your packages are tucked away safely until you can grab them—without ever stepping outside.

How myQ Works

The myQ system connects your garage door opener to a phone app. Through the myQ app, you can open and close your garage door remotely, giving delivery drivers a secure way to drop off packages inside your garage.

Many delivery services, such as Amazon Key and Walmart+ InHome, have partnered with myQ to offer secure in-garage deliveries. This makes smart tech for secure deliveries an even more powerful tool in the fight against porch pirates. You’ll get a notification when your package is delivered, and your garage will be the new safe haven for all your parcels.

The beauty of myQ and secure in-garage deliveries is that they’re contactless. No one has to touch anything—you get your package safely inside your garage without worrying about unlocked doors or awkward interactions.

Delivery drivers can drop it off, and you can pick it up at your convenience. This helps prevent the dreaded feeling of coming home to an empty porch where your precious delivery should have been.

How to Setup myQ

You don’t need to be a tech whiz or spend hours reading user manuals. myQ integrates seamlessly with most modern garage door openers, and the setup process takes just minutes.

All you need is the myQ app and a smart garage door opener, and you’re good to go—it’s simple, secure, and effective.

What to Do If a Porch Pirate Steals Your Package

Unfortunately, even the best-laid plans don’t always work out; there’s always a chance that a porch pirate might still manage to swipe one of your packages. Here’s what you can potentially do to recover your missing packages:

Step 1: Check Tracking

Take a deep breath and log into your email to find any confirmation emails accompanying your purchase. Typically, these emails will contain links to delivery tracking information that can help you determine the exact status of your package.

Check the tracking number to confirm that it was delivered. Sometimes, a package may be marked as "delivered" even if it hasn’t arrived at your doorstep yet, so take a moment to check with neighbors or any other places around your home where it could have been left.

If your package remains missing in action, you can reach out to the provider.

Step 2: File a Claim

Delivery companies often have procedures for filing theft claims, especially if the delivery was confirmed. If your package is stolen, they’ll typically offer reimbursement or a replacement.

Let’s take a look:

• USPS – For domestic shipments, Priority Mail Express® items, Collect on Delivery (COD) items, and Registered Mail® items with insurance are often eligible for a refund. You can file online or through the mail, and you must provide the appropriate documentation, such as your tracking number, evidence of insurance, and proof of value (like a sales receipt).
• UPS – For lost packages, you can log into your UPS account and enter your tracking number and package value to file a claim for financial reimbursement.
• FedEx – Within the FedEx claims processing system, you can contact the merchandiser for a replacement or ask them to file a claim of their own. In addition to your tracking number, you may also need to enter purchase invoices, merchandiser information, expense statements, and appraisals.

No matter the process, when shopping online, be sure to keep your receipt or order number handy to make the process smoother.

Step 3: Report Theft

Reporting a stolen package to local authorities is important, even if you’re unsure if they’ll be able to recover your package. While police can’t always track down the thief or recover the stolen items right away, filing a police report helps create an official record of the theft.

This can be useful for several reasons:

• Documentation for claims – Many delivery services, credit card companies, or retailers may require you to provide a police report if you are requesting a refund or replacement for a stolen item. Having a report on file provides the necessary documentation to support your claim.
• Building a case – A police report can help authorities identify trends or patterns of crime in a specific area. If other residents report similar incidents, it can contribute to the investigation of porch piracy in the neighborhood and potentially lead to greater enforcement or preventive measures.
• Neighborhood awareness – When thefts are reported, police may alert residents to the issue, raising awareness within the community. They might suggest additional steps to help prevent thefts, such as keeping an eye out for suspicious activity or installing surveillance cameras. A community that is aware of the threat is often more vigilant, making it harder for thieves to operate without being noticed.
• Possible surveillance footage – In some cases, police may be able to gather surveillance footage from nearby homes or businesses that may have captured the thief in the act. If there are cameras in the vicinity, or if the theft occurred in a well-lit area, this can increase the chances of identifying the perpetrator.

Safeguard Your Treasures With myQ

Porch piracy is on the rise, with thieves snatching up packages in broad daylight—often in seconds. A single stolen delivery can mean lost valuables, frustrating claims, and unnecessary stress. But with the right security measures in place, you can outsmart porch pirates before they strike.

That’s where myQ comes in.

With real-time alerts, HD video surveillance, and motion detection, you can monitor your front door 24/7 and deter thieves more easily. Plus, myQ’s remote garage access lets you securely store packages inside until you're ready to retrieve them—no more worrying about unattended or missed deliveries.

Know how to prevent porch pirates, take control of your home security, and protect what’s yours with myQ today.

Sources:

Value Penguin. 2024 Porch Pirates Report. https://www.valuepenguin.com/porch-pirates-report

Congress. H.R.9227 - Porch Pirates Act of 2024. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/9227

USPS. Claims. https://www.usps.com/help/claims.htm

UPS. File a Claim. https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/file-a-claim

FedEx. Claims. https://www.fedex.com/en-us/customer-support/claims.html

Suzuki Law. Porch Piracy in America: Trends, Threats, and Preventative Strategies. https://www.suzukilawoffices.com/research/porch-piracy-in-america-trends-threats-prevention-2024/