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Porch pirates are worst in these states
What is the average value of a stolen package? About $50. Who are the ones doing that stealing? Data shows that 94% of porch pirates are 45 and younger, and 67% are middle class. That’s a little surprising, wouldn’t you say?
Keep reading to learn more about these common thieves and ways to outsmart them.
The dirty details
Research from Forbes shows New Hampshire ranks No. 1 and has the most Google Searches for “stolen package,” plus a high reported larceny rate. Packages are also at risk in Oklahoma, Delaware, Iowa, Colorado, Kansas, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota and Missouri.
At the very bottom of the list: Florida. Maybe it’s the gators.
What’s stolen most often? Amazon packages! It makes sense since they ship out so many daily — about 1.6 million. About 52% are Amazon Prime packages. Then comes USPS (43%), UPS (38%), FedEx (25%) and DLH (10%). The rest fall into that murky “Other” category.
How can you stop them?
A doorbell camera goes a long way — both as a deterrent and a way to catch these jerks in the act. The trick is making sure you set yours up just right. Too high and you get just the top of a thief’s head. Too low, and it’s their feet.
- The sweet spot to mount a doorbell cam is 48 inches from the ground. That’s four feet, math nerds.
It seems low, I know. But most doorbells, including the super-popular Ring, have a very wide scope. Video doorbells detect motion up to 180 degrees, up and down.
Motion sensors detect body heat, too. (That’s why your dog might set off the cam.) Mount it any higher, and it might just capture the heat of the sun. You don’t need to be notified that the world spins.
Need a video doorbell? Ring and Blink are solid brands.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Hurry! Holiday shipping deadlines are almost here
Every year around the holidays, there are shipping issues. The USPS gets so overwhelmed with the number of holiday cards and packages being sent it causes massive delays with deliveries. This means the last-minute gift you send will arrive even later.
The smishing scam
Received a message from FedEx or UPS about a package you didn’t order? Don’t fall for it —clicking that link could put your personal and financial information at risk.
Porch pirates are smarter than ever: Across the U.S., they’re stealing AT&T iPhones delivered by FedEx. They’re using tracking numbers to get real-time updates and swipe packages in seconds. Even worse? The info might be coming from rogue AT&T employees. Get a lockable porch box and a video doorbell.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Nasty shopping and shipping text scams spreading right now
With the holiday shopping season just around the corner, you’ve probably subscribed to all sorts of shopping notifications and shipping alerts. This is smart, since you’ll know exactly when your packages are due to arrive and when hot deals go live.
Beware! Text message delivery scams are back and sneakier than ever
Scammers are a creative bunch, aren’t they? When so much information and money is up for grabs on the internet, it’s only natural that the most clever and resourceful criminals will get away with the biggest score.
Whether they’re tricking users into thinking they owe back taxes or developing fake ransomware and sextortion emails, these cybercriminals truly put the “artist” in “con artist.” Tap or click here to see why you shouldn’t panic when you get a sextortion email.
Job scam warning: Retailers and shipping companies are hiring in droves ahead of the holidays. UPS, Amazon, FedEx, Target and all the rest are looking for folks, but they won’t make initial contact with you via email or text. Go to a potential employer’s website and find the “Careers” section to apply directly.
FedEx is spying on you
Wait, what? That truck out front isn’t just delivering a package to you or your neighbor.
The post office delivery scam
Did you get a text about a package from the post office or FedEx? Stop and think. This message could be a dangerous scam.
🖨️ Print-happy warning: When you print a doc at FedEx, Staples or UPS, check the fine print. Their policies say they can use whatever you print for advertising or share it with unnamed third parties. No, thanks.
Warning! These shipping emails from FedEx and UPS are fakes
If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably ordered items for delivery at some point during the COVID-19 pandemic. And just like most of us, you’ve noticed delays in shipping no matter where in the country you live.
These delays aren’t happening without good reason, mind you. Shutdowns at postal and shipping facilities have snarled logistical traffic, and even Amazon is struggling to keep up with a record number of orders. Tap or click to see why Amazon wants you to shop less.