With Amazon Prime Day winding down, an opportunity is presenting itself for porch pirates to strike.
Thefts of packages from in front of homes has become increasingly more common over the years, including in Metro Vancouver. A recent survey showed one-in-four Canadians reported having packages being stolen in 2023.
With a surplus of packages expected to be delivered to homes around B.C., people are being urged to take extra precautions after placing an order.
“First and foremost, know what you ordered and know what to expect. I feel like we get really excited — it’s add to cart and off we go, surprise, there’s something at the door. But when you’re doing a lot of shopping, you should be clear on what it is you’re getting and who it’s coming from,” said Neesha Hothi, director or marketing and communications, Better Business Bureau B.C.
However, despite repeated warnings over the years, many people continue to fall victim to these sorts of thefts.
A recent Facebook post shows a man on an electric bike stealing a package in South Surrey. The incident was reported to police and the person who took the video says their neighborhood has often been targeted by porch pirates this year.
This is just one of many cases around Metro Vancouver, and with some of Amazon’s busiest shopping days of the year coming to a close, it’s expected more thefts will be reported.
In 2023, the Fortune 500 company racked in close to $13 billion during the Prime Day sales.
Precautions and reporting
Hothi says there are ways to protect your purchases.
“If you’re going to leave a package out front for an extended period of time, you’re running a risk,” said Hothi. “Firstly, pick up the package as soon as it’s been delivered. Secondly, if you’re not going to be home and you already know that, have it delivered to your workplace or someone you trust who can receive it right away. Or schedule a pick up or delivery if you need to.”
While these are among the best methods to best keep your packages safe, experts say it’s always recommended to add shipping insurance and tracking to your packages when required.
And if your package is stolen, you’re encouraged to always report the incident to police.
“What’s really important is that you report it so that we can help protect the next person. Report it to the BBB scam tracker, which is an easy online reporting tool, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, contact the local police — make sure you report these things because it’s the only way we can help protect you next time.”