Main

Sections

Features

News 12 Originals

Choose Your Region

Be the first to know

Topics you care about, straight to your inbox

Your email address

Main

Sections

Features

News 12 Originals

Default

Be the first to know

Topics you care about, straight to your inbox

Your email address

‘Porch piracy’ on the rise as more Americans buy items online

As more people take to buying products online through websites like Amazon, law enforcement officials say that they are seeing an uptick in thieves stealing packages right of porches.

News 12 Staff

•

Jan 12, 2019, 3:13 AM

•

Updated 1,933 days ago

Share:

As more people take to buying products online through websites like Amazon, law enforcement officials say that they are seeing an uptick in thieves stealing packages right of porches.
About 30 percent of Americans say that they have had at least one package stolen right from their front steps.
“More and more people are taking advantage of this environment, and literally running from house to house to house and stealing these packages,” says consumer advocate Adam Levin.
Law enforcement officials say that there are several ways for consumers to protect themselves from theft.
One way is to get security cameras installed. This is not guaranteed to prevent theft, but it could help law enforcement identify the thief.
It is also possible to buy a lockable delivery box, but many consumers say that their delivery people ignore them.
Consumers who do a lot of online shopping may wish to invest in a post office box or have packages delivered to a neighbor who will be home.
Companies like Amazon will now deliver packages to a homeowner’s garage or inside their home. But that means giving the delivery driver permission to enter the house.
“To me that’s always dangerous. You don’t want somebody crawling around your house that you don’t know,” Levine says.
Police say that one thing a homeowner shouldn’t do is confront the thief. They say that this could be dangerous and it is best to just call police.
More from News 12
0:27
Police: Norwalk man arrested in connection to Main Street stabbing

Police: Norwalk man arrested in connection to Main Street stabbing

1:50
Scattered showers overnight for Connecticut; sun returns Sunday afternoon

Scattered showers overnight for Connecticut; sun returns Sunday afternoon

1:43
Hundreds of Fairfield University students celebrate annual springtime Clam Jam

Hundreds of Fairfield University students celebrate annual springtime Clam Jam

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

1:59
Danbury Hospital employees demand fair contract as rallies continue

Danbury Hospital employees demand fair contract as rallies continue

0:21
Stratford PD: Woman wanted on felony robbery warrant considered ‘armed and dangerous’

Stratford PD: Woman wanted on felony robbery warrant considered ‘armed and dangerous’

0:26
Milford FD: Person extricated from rollover crash

Milford FD: Person extricated from rollover crash

0:22
Officials: Norwalk man drove off the road and landed in the Five Mile River in Darien

Officials: Norwalk man drove off the road and landed in the Five Mile River in Darien

0:41
'Walk A Mile in Her Shoes' in Fairfield raises awareness about sexual and domestic violence

'Walk A Mile in Her Shoes' in Fairfield raises awareness about sexual and domestic violence

2:28
Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

1:46
Kids Helping Kids and Person to Person partner to host annual Handled with Care Boutique

Kids Helping Kids and Person to Person partner to host annual Handled with Care Boutique

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

0:24
Orange volunteer firefighters raise thousands to benefit the American Lung Association

Orange volunteer firefighters raise thousands to benefit the American Lung Association

2:37
Video released by CSP shows the moment a Connecticut state trooper is struck by a car on I-95 in Bridgeport

Video released by CSP shows the moment a Connecticut state trooper is struck by a car on I-95 in Bridgeport

2:13
‘Ashes and memories—that’s it.’ Brookfield fire victims get up close look at devastation; donation efforts underway

‘Ashes and memories—that’s it.’ Brookfield fire victims get up close look at devastation; donation efforts underway

1:01
Bridgeport officers rescue man threatening to jump off bridge on I-95

Bridgeport officers rescue man threatening to jump off bridge on I-95

1:46
Kids Helping Kids and Person to Person partner to host annual Handled with Care Boutique

Kids Helping Kids and Person to Person partner to host annual Handled with Care Boutique

0:19
Police: Philadelphia man faces charges for a swatting incident in Norwalk

Police: Philadelphia man faces charges for a swatting incident in Norwalk

1:58
New Haven police preparing for Sunday's pro-Palestinian protest on the Green

New Haven police preparing for Sunday's pro-Palestinian protest on the Green

1:37
Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York

Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York