Rise of Porch Pirates: Protecting Your Packages in the Digital Age

Online shopping has become a cornerstone of modern life, with many households turning to e‑commerce for everyday essentials to avoid trips to physical stores.

While the convenience of ordering online is undeniable, it has also opened the door for a new breed of crime: porch piracy. According to Ben Dehner, founder and CEO of Colorado‑based startup BenchSentry, package theft has risen sharply alongside e‑commerce growth.

BenchSentry’s mission is to deliver a discreet, non‑intrusive solution that eliminates the temptation for thieves to target unattended packages. The company’s flagship product, a low‑profile bench that hides parcels on your doorstep, has just launched an Indiegogo campaign and is slated to hit the market before the next holiday season.

Common Countermeasures

Many homeowners have turned to doorbell cameras in an attempt to deter theft. While the footage can be useful for identifying suspects, it rarely stops a determined thief and often only provides a photograph of a stolen parcel. In contrast, Amazon’s “Amazon Key” service allows drivers to leave packages inside a garage or locked door, offering a more secure delivery option for customers who consent to this level of access.

However, Amazon Key is limited to Amazon shipments and requires homeowners to grant the company permission to access their premises, leaving non‑Amazon deliveries vulnerable. Until Amazon dominates the entire e‑commerce market and the majority of households opt into the service, porch pirates will continue to find opportunities to intercept packages.

Porch piracy has evolved from opportunistic theft to a calculated, organized operation. Modern thieves now track USPS, FedEx, UPS, and Amazon deliveries, recording delivery schedules, targeting high‑value neighborhoods, and even posing as utility inspectors or delivery personnel to gain trust.

A 2018 study by Smiota revealed that:

• Police arrest in less than 10% of reported package theft cases.
• North Dakota leads the country in package theft rates.
• Metro areas experience an average of 17 incidents per 1,000 residents.
• Average value of stolen packages is $140 (€124).
• One in four Americans has fallen victim to package theft, and half know someone who has.
• Being home during the day does not prevent theft.

Unreported Theft

Many incidents go unreported, as consumers grow accustomed to package loss and rely on e‑commerce providers’ quick replacement policies. Additionally, police departments often prioritize more serious crimes, leaving package theft investigations low on the list.

With e‑commerce set to grow, homeowners must adopt proactive measures to protect their deliveries. For a comprehensive guide on safeguarding your on‑demand lifestyle, guide.

The author of this article is Ben Dehner, founder and CEO of BenchSentry.

About the Author

Ben Dehner leads BenchSentry, a Colorado startup dedicated to eliminating package theft through innovative, unobtrusive security solutions. His team’s newest product, BenchSentry, is available on Indiegogo and will be on the market by the upcoming holiday season.