Package theft isn’t just an annoying one-off; it’s become a global headache for households, retailers and delivery companies.

A few recent snapshots:

• In Canada, a FedEx-commissioned survey found that about 28% of Canadians have had a package stolen—that’s more than one in four people who shop online.
• Another Canadian analysis estimated that nearly one quarter of Canadians have experienced porch piracy, with an average loss of about CAD $113 per package and total national losses around $784 million.
• A separate figure from the Canada Safety Council suggests around 1 in 10 Canadians report being victims—underscoring that, depending on how you measure it, the number is still alarmingly high.
• In the United States, the problem scales up fast: the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General estimates at least 58 million packages were stolen in 2024, causing major disruption across the e-commerce ecosystem.
• Other studies suggest even higher totals—one recent industry analysis puts U.S. losses from package theft around $12–16 billion annually, with tens of millions of parcels disappearing each year.

That’s… a lot of doorsteps.

And these numbers get worse right after big sales events. Police and local media in multiple regions report around 20% spikes in package theft around the holiday season—particularly in the weeks after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when deliveries pile up and workdays get busier.

So if you feel like “everyone” has a porch pirate story these days, you’re not imagining it.

From a thief’s perspective, late November through December is a perfect storm:

• More deliveries. Online orders surge after Black Friday, and many of us order multiple smaller parcels instead of one big shop. That means more packages sitting on more porches for longer.
• Predictable routines. Couriers often follow similar routes and time windows every day. Once thieves learn the pattern, they can “shop” efficiently.
• Distraction & fatigue. The holiday calendar fills up: work events, school concerts, travel. The more you’re out (or simply busy), the longer parcels sit outside.
• Easy resell value. Electronics, toys, fashion and small home goods are great for quick resale—especially when thieves strike before you even know a box has arrived.

The good news? Most porch pirates aren’t master criminals. They’re opportunists. That means a few smart changes can make your home a far less attractive target.

Knowing how they work helps you cut off their opportunities:

1. Drive-by “shopping”
   Thieves cruise through neighbourhoods slowly, scanning for packages left in plain view. If they see a box, they hop out, grab it, and are gone within seconds.
2. Following courier vans
   In some cases, porch pirates trail behind delivery drivers, waiting a few minutes and then scooping up fresh parcels before homeowners even get a notification.
3. Hitting multi-unit buildings
   Apartment lobbies, unsecured mail rooms or common areas with parcels stacked up are particularly tempting—lots of boxes in one place, and often inconsistent supervision.
4. Repeat visits
   If your home or building looks “easy”—no cameras, packages often visible from the street—thieves may come back repeatedly, especially during the holidays.

You don’t have to turn your house into a fortress to fight this. But you can make your doorstep a much less inviting target.

Let’s start with steps that don’t require gadgets, apps or rewiring your front door.

1. Use Delivery Options to Your Advantage

Most major carriers and retailers now give you some control over how and when parcels arrive:

• Choose delivery windows if available, especially when you know you’ll be home.
• Require a signature for high-value items so they’re not left unattended.
• Ship to pick-up points (parcel lockers, post offices, retail partner locations) for your more expensive orders.
• Use “safe place” instructions (“Leave behind side gate,” “Place behind planter,” “Do not leave at front door”) to make boxes less visible from the street.

It’s a little more effort at checkout, but these small choices can make a big difference once packages hit your neighbourhood.

2. Make Friends With Your Neighbours

A simple “porch buddy” agreement can drastically reduce theft risk:

• Trade phone numbers with next-door neighbours.
• Agree that if you see a parcel on each other’s doorstep while the owner is clearly away, you’ll text and, with permission, move it out of sight or hold it temporarily.
• Consider a small neighbourhood group chat just for deliveries and security concerns.

Porch pirates rely on anonymity and low visibility. Neighbours looking out for one another are a powerful deterrent.

3. Don’t Advertise Your Deliveries

A few low-tech habits:

• Bring packages in quickly when you’re home—don’t let them sit outside all day “because I’m busy.”
• If you’re expecting several parcels while you’re away, ask a trusted neighbour or family member to collect them.
• Avoid posting real-time delivery photos on social media with your address visible, especially if you’re also posting that you’re away.

4. Plan Around Your Schedule

If you know you’ll be out all day or travelling:

• For multi-unit buildings, ask property management about delivery policies and whether packages can be held in a secure room instead of left in the lobby.
• Ship to your workplace (if allowed).
• Use a parcel locker or secure pickup option.

Smart Tech—Without the Jargon

You don’t need to be a tech expert to benefit from some basic security tools. Here are the most practical options for everyday households.

1. Video Doorbells & Entry Cameras

A doorbell camera or small fixed CCTV camera pointing towards your entry can:

• Record a clear view of anyone approaching or taking packages.
• Send motion or doorbell alerts to your phone, so you know when deliveries arrive.
• Act as a visible deterrent—many thieves will avoid homes with obvious cameras.

For many people, this is the most straightforward “step up” in security. It’s also helpful for everyday things, like seeing who’s at the door when you’re cooking or on a work call.

2. Smart Locks & Controlled Drop-Off Areas

If you’re comfortable with it and have a suitable setup, you can create safer drop-off options:

• Smart locks can allow family members or trusted neighbours to pop in and move packages inside without you handing over a key.
• Some households use in-garage delivery (where available) so packages are placed inside the garage instead of on the porch.
• Even a lockable porch box—essentially a parcel bench or chest with a code or key—can be a big improvement over leaving boxes in the open.

3. Better Security for Apartments & Townhouses

If you live in a multi-unit building, your protections look a little different:

• Advocating for secure mail rooms or parcel lockers in your building helps everyone.
• Controlled access doors with intercom systems, keypads, fobs or mobile credentials make it harder for non-residents to wander in and “shop” the lobby.
• Well-placed CCTV cameras in entrances, mail areas, and lifts act both as deterrents and as tools for investigation when something goes missing.

These are the kinds of upgrades property managers and strata committees are increasingly exploring—not just for crime prevention, but to make everyday living smoother.

What To Do If Your Package Is Stolen

Even with precautions, theft can still happen. If you suspect a porch pirate has struck:

1. Confirm delivery status
   Check tracking information and any delivery photos provided by the courier.
2. Look for evidence
   If you have a camera or live in a building with CCTV, review footage around the delivery time.
3. Contact the retailer first
   Many retailers will replace stolen items, especially if you report quickly and provide confirmation of non-receipt.
4. Report to the delivery company
   Couriers track theft hotspots and may adjust routes or procedures if they see recurring problems in a particular area.
5. Report to local police (where appropriate)
   Especially if you have video or clear evidence, a report helps build the bigger picture of crime in your community.
6. Adjust for next time
   One incident is an inconvenience. Two or three is a pattern. If theft keeps happening, it’s time to rethink your delivery strategy, not just hope for better luck.

How PMT Security Can Help Protect Packages

PMT Security primarily works with residential complexes, commercial sites and critical infrastructure—designing integrated systems that combine CCTV, access control, intercoms and monitoring.

But the same building-level protections that keep people and property safe can also dramatically reduce porch piracy and package theft—especially where lots of residents receive deliveries every day.

Here are some ways PMT Security can help property owners, managers and body corporates create safer conditions for everyone’s parcels:

• Smarter entry design for apartments & townhouses
  • Secure front doors and gates with access control (cards, fobs or mobile credentials) instead of always-unlocked lobbies.
  • Visitor intercoms so couriers can reach residents securely instead of propping doors open.
• Well-designed CCTV coverage
  • Cameras positioned to clearly capture entries, driveways, parcel rooms and mail areas—without intruding on private living spaces.
  • Integrated systems that make it easy for managers to retrieve footage when residents report missing parcels.
• Secure parcel rooms and lockers
  • Dedicated delivery rooms with controlled access for residents and authorised couriers.
  • Integration with existing building systems so notifications and access are streamlined rather than creating more hassle.
• Lighting and situational awareness
  • Ensuring entrances, car parks and common walkways are covered by both lighting and cameras, giving would-be thieves fewer shadows to hide in.
• End-to-end design and support
  • PMT’s teams can audit current conditions, design tailored solutions, and support systems over the long term—so technology remains reliable, not just impressive on day one.

If you’re a resident reading this, you don’t need to become a security engineer overnight. But you can:

• Use the practical tips above to protect your own deliveries; and
• Share resources like this with your building manager, strata committee or landlord if package theft has become a recurring issue.

If you’re a property owner or manager, and you’re seeing more “my package is missing” emails every December, it might be time to look at a building-wide approach. PMT Security can help you design systems that support residents, reduce theft, and make online shopping feel safe again.

After all the effort you put into hunting for deals, comparing prices and sticking to a budget, the last thing you want is a stranger doing their own “holiday shopping” on your front step.

A few smart habits—and, where it makes sense, the right building-level security—can help make sure the only surprises this season are the good ones you actually ordered.