Millions of Australian online shoppers are being targeted by brazen “porch pirates”, according to fresh research.
Porch piracy – also known as package theft – is on the rise as more and more Australian households opt for deliveries including food and retail purchases.
A survey of 1011 people by Finder discovered one in five, the equivalent of 4.1 million Australians, have had a parcel stolen or lost in the past year.
Of those surveyed, seven per cent said they had a parcel stolen from under their noses at their home after it had already been delivered.
Another six per cent said their delivery was sent to the wrong address, while five per cent said the mail was simply “lost in transit”.
The average value of missing packages amounts to $145, equating to around $606 million in lost packages over 12 months.
“The financial toll is significant, with losses running into the millions each year – not to mention the inconvenience for consumers,” Finder personal finance specialist Taylor Blackburn said.
“Opportunistic thieves are seizing the chance to snatch unattended packages.”
Gen Z shoppers, aged between 13 and 28, are the unluckiest in the bunch, Finder’s research found.
About 30 per cent of this generation reported lost or stolen parcels in the past year.
Blackburn said households can arm themselves against porch pirates with security cameras, by tracking parcels or adding specific instructions for delivery drivers.
“If your goods are stolen, all is not lost. If you paid with a credit card, you may be entitled to a refund if your card has purchase protection,” Blackburn added.
“Most retail items you buy for yourself are covered, such as clothing, jewellery, laptops or art.”
Opportunistic porch pirates are also targeting grocery deliveries.
“I was inside the house with my baby and opened the door 2 minutes after he left!” the woman said.
