BBB warns of rising porch pirate activity around the holidays

BRUNSWICK COUNTY (WWAY) — In 2024, over 18 billion dollars’ worth of merchandise was stolen from people’s front porches. 

The reason — online shopping has become more popular, which means more porch pirates. 

Porch pirates will often survey neighborhoods, follow delivery trucks, and can make quick escapes from neighborhoods. 

Alyssa Parker is with the Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Carolinas, and she says burglars would be less likely to target a home with a doorbell camera. 

“If it were to happen then you do have video evidence of someone, you know, stealing a package off of your porch, and then also it deters a lot of people. If people see that there’s a camera there, they’re probably not going to want to get caught on camera, so that’s a really great opportunity and just a really great resource to utilize,” said Parker. 

Some common tips to deter thieves include not leaving any packages unattended, requiring a signature for packages, and scheduling ahead deliveries, so you are home when a package arrives.