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 1,937 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
SBU officials: 29 people arrested on campus as students hold pro-Palestinian protest

SBU officials: 29 people arrested on campus as students hold pro-Palestinian protest

1:47
Warm temps today ahead of some wet weather for the weekend

Warm temps today ahead of some wet weather for the weekend

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

0:23
3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

1:54
Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

0:25
Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

1:37
Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:13
School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

1:51
Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

0:27
MTA approves plan to discount monthly LIRR tickets for NYC, excludes Long Island

MTA approves plan to discount monthly LIRR tickets for NYC, excludes Long Island

1:46
What's Cooking: Steak Taco

What's Cooking: Steak Taco

2:57
Garden Guide: Food you can grow anywhere

Garden Guide: Food you can grow anywhere

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

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

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments