The latest report shows that New York City is the largest city in the United States with the most serious package theft problem, with the total value of lost packages last year approaching $1 billion.
120 million packages were stolen nationwide last year
According to annual research by the security website SafeWise, 120.5 million packages will be stolen at consumers’ doorsteps in the United States in 2023, causing losses of nearly 16 billion yuan. The site determines its annual rankings based on a combination of FBI crime statistics, an independent security survey, and its proprietary survey data.
In terms of value, New York City has the most serious package theft problem, with losses of $945 million last year, more than double the $450 million in second place Philadelphia. Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Houston followed with losses of $262 million, $232 million, and $207 million respectively.
Ben Stickle, a professor at Middle Tennessee State and an expert on package theft who authored the report , said the holiday season provides more opportunities for package thieves as online shopping surges. “At a time when people are busier and their daily routines are disrupted, they may work later or spend more time out shopping or visiting family and friends, leaving packages exposed on their porches for longer.”
To protect the safety of the package, it is best to sign for it
Reports also show that many people are taking extra steps to protect their packages, such as placing packages in secure lockers or choosing to live in apartment complexes with package rooms. 84% of respondents surveyed by SafeWise have taken additional precautions after a package was stolen, with the most common being installing security cameras or video doorbells, while some consumers also worked with neighbors to ensure packages were received. The report recommends that consumers take measures to protect the safety of packages, such as turning on delivery reminders, requiring signatures, using secure lockers or asking friends to collect them on their behalf, and using security technology.
Limited edition Jordan shoes were stolen and lost one after another
Mr. Zhao, who lives in Manhattan, suffered from package theft because his apartment did not have a doorman or an Amazon receiving locker. He said that he finally managed to grab a pair of limited edition Jordan basketball shoes at the end of last year, but because he went out to do laundry, he missed the courier door and knocked on the door. As a result, the package was left at the door and disappeared when he got home. In the end, although Nike refunded the money, the limited-edition sneakers were no longer available for purchase. On Black Friday this year, he had another package that showed it had been delivered, but it was empty at the door. “It must have been stolen again.”
Mr. Zhao said that there are special express delivery stations in domestic communities in China. For packages that do not go through the express delivery stations, deliverymen will also call to contact them for delivery. Therefore, having just been in the United States for two years, he has no regard for American couriers leaving packages at the door. The careless approach was extremely uncomfortable. “I was always worried whenever there was a package, so I could only find ways to keep it at home. Putting a sign on the door for the courier saying ‘Don’t leave the package at the door’ didn’t work.”
