'Opportunistic thieves are seizing the chance': Why more Australians are losing their parcels
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Package deliveries have become a modern convenience many Australians rely on, but this growing trend has also attracted the attention of opportunistic criminals.
As more households opt for home deliveries, a troubling pattern has emerged—one that’s leaving shoppers frustrated and out of pocket.
New research has shed light on a concerning rise in missing parcels, exposing the risks that come with doorstep drop-offs.
Porch piracy was on the rise in Australia as online shopping surged, leaving millions of consumers dealing with stolen or lost parcels.
A survey conducted by Finder revealed that one in five Australians—equating to 4.1 million people—had a package either stolen or lost in the past year.
The research found that seven per cent of respondents had a parcel taken from their home after it had already been delivered.
Another six per cent reported that their package had been sent to the wrong address, while five per cent claimed their parcel was ‘lost in transit’.
The average value of a missing package was estimated at $145, which amounted to approximately $606 million in losses over a 12-month period.
Finder’s personal finance specialist Taylor Blackburn highlighted the significant financial toll of these thefts, stating: ‘The financial toll is significant, with losses running into the millions each year – not to mention the inconvenience for consumers.’
‘Opportunistic thieves are seizing the chance to snatch unattended packages.’
Porch pirates targeted all types of deliveries, including retail and grocery orders, with some incidents caught on camera.
In Adelaide, police were investigating after a woman shared footage of a man allegedly taking her $170 Woolworths delivery from her doorstep.
‘I was inside the house with my baby and opened the door 2 minutes after he left!’ the woman said.
Gen Z shoppers—aged between 13 and 28—were the most affected, with 30 per cent of respondents in this age group reporting stolen or lost parcels.
To prevent theft, Blackburn advised shoppers to install security cameras, track their deliveries, or leave specific instructions for couriers.
‘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,’ he said.
‘Most retail items you buy for yourself are covered, such as clothing, jewellery, laptops or art.’
With package theft on the rise, Australians are being urged to take extra precautions to protect their deliveries. Security experts warn that opportunistic thieves are targeting unattended parcels more than ever.
Watch the video below to learn more about how to safeguard your packages.
With package theft on the rise, more Australians are taking extra precautions to protect their deliveries. Have you ever had a parcel go missing?
Share your experience in the comments.
As more households opt for home deliveries, a troubling pattern has emerged—one that’s leaving shoppers frustrated and out of pocket.
New research has shed light on a concerning rise in missing parcels, exposing the risks that come with doorstep drop-offs.
Porch piracy was on the rise in Australia as online shopping surged, leaving millions of consumers dealing with stolen or lost parcels.
A survey conducted by Finder revealed that one in five Australians—equating to 4.1 million people—had a package either stolen or lost in the past year.
The research found that seven per cent of respondents had a parcel taken from their home after it had already been delivered.
Porch piracy surges as Aussies lose millions. Image source: Facebook
Another six per cent reported that their package had been sent to the wrong address, while five per cent claimed their parcel was ‘lost in transit’.
The average value of a missing package was estimated at $145, which amounted to approximately $606 million in losses over a 12-month period.
Finder’s personal finance specialist Taylor Blackburn highlighted the significant financial toll of these thefts, stating: ‘The financial toll is significant, with losses running into the millions each year – not to mention the inconvenience for consumers.’
‘Opportunistic thieves are seizing the chance to snatch unattended packages.’
Porch pirates targeted all types of deliveries, including retail and grocery orders, with some incidents caught on camera.
In Adelaide, police were investigating after a woman shared footage of a man allegedly taking her $170 Woolworths delivery from her doorstep.
‘I was inside the house with my baby and opened the door 2 minutes after he left!’ the woman said.
Gen Z shoppers—aged between 13 and 28—were the most affected, with 30 per cent of respondents in this age group reporting stolen or lost parcels.
To prevent theft, Blackburn advised shoppers to install security cameras, track their deliveries, or leave specific instructions for couriers.
‘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,’ he said.
‘Most retail items you buy for yourself are covered, such as clothing, jewellery, laptops or art.’
With package theft on the rise, Australians are being urged to take extra precautions to protect their deliveries. Security experts warn that opportunistic thieves are targeting unattended parcels more than ever.
Watch the video below to learn more about how to safeguard your packages.
With package theft on the rise, more Australians are taking extra precautions to protect their deliveries. Have you ever had a parcel go missing?
Share your experience in the comments.
