The truth about delivery thefts — is your home a target?
- Replies 25
Parcel theft is becoming a growing concern for many, leaving residents frustrated and unsure of how to protect their deliveries.
From small packages to larger items, no parcel seems safe anymore.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s behind this rise in thefts and what you can do to safeguard your belongings, keep reading.
Parcel thieves in Brisbane are becoming increasingly audacious, stealing everything from dog food to furniture.
Many have been caught on CCTV, undeterred by visible cameras, as they walk into apartment lobbies or onto private property to swipe deliveries.
Helen Baker’s daughter faced a frustrating experience when she spent $200 on clothes, only for the parcel to be stolen just 30 minutes after delivery. The theft occurred in the mailroom of their Newstead apartment complex.
‘It’s sad that my daughter has lost items that she worked hard for, and I’m now worried about future parcels and how they are delivered,’ Baker shared.
‘This is our home and where we live, but now we don’t know whether anything that gets delivered will be safe.’
The theft was captured on CCTV, and footage was provided to the police. However, no arrests have been made, and the order has not been refunded or replaced. Baker said they also contacted corporate but had received no updates.
Victoria Laurenzi, another Brisbane resident, had a unique parcel stolen several weeks ago—crocheted animals that came with humorous emotional support messages.
The theft, also caught on CCTV, showed a man casually walking onto her Coorparoo property before grabbing the parcel and running away.
In a post on social media, she remarked: ‘Not sure a heap of crocheted animals would be of any use to him. So maybe it will make him a better human.’
The problem isn’t isolated to a few unlucky residents. A study revealed that 21% of Australians—approximately 4.2 million people—had a parcel lost or stolen in the past year.
The average value of a stolen package was $129, amounting to a collective loss of around $2.8 million annually.
Finder personal finance specialist Taylor Blackburn noted that parcel theft spikes during the holiday season and after major sales events like Black Friday, when online shopping surges.
Another Brisbane resident had hundreds of dollars worth of cosmetics stolen after a parcel was delivered to her apartment while she was away.
‘I had a friend who was house-sitting for me when I got the notification that a parcel had been delivered to our apartment, which requires a key on entry,’ she said. ‘My friend saw the parcel, ran out to the shops to get milk, and by the time she got back, the parcel was gone.’
CCTV footage revealed that the thief entered the building via an unsecured car park. While police identified the person responsible, the resident never recovered her items or received a refund.
Determined to prevent further thefts, she collaborated with neighbours to improve security in their building.
‘I keep an eye out for my neighbours’ parcels if I see them … we have banded together and created a neighbourhood watch for parcels in our lobby,’ the resident said..
She successfully campaigned for additional security measures, including a parcel locker and enhanced access controls for the car park. ‘If you are in that situation and think improvements could be made, then don’t be afraid to go to body corporate and ask them.’
If your parcel is stolen, the first step is to contact the sender, who is legally required to fulfil your order. Providing proof of delivery and order details may lead to a replacement.
However, in many cases, consumers are left to bear the loss.
Australia Post advises reporting suspected theft to the police. ‘Theft of parcels and mail after delivery is a criminal offence, and customers should get in touch with police if they suspect their mail has been tampered with or stolen,’ a spokesperson stated.
Residents in apartment complexes should also notify building management and file a non-urgent police report. Credit card insurance may cover some losses if claims are lodged within 90 days.
To minimise the risk of losing parcels, police recommend:
With parcel theft on the rise, vigilance and proactive security measures are essential to ensure deliveries remain safe.
In a previous story, we uncovered how Australians are facing hidden costs when it comes to parcel deliveries. From unexpected fees to inflated charges, many customers may be unknowingly paying more than they should.
If you're concerned about how much you're really spending on shipping and want to find out how to avoid these hidden expenses, read our full article here.
Have you ever had a delivery stolen, or do you have any tips on keeping your parcels safe? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
From small packages to larger items, no parcel seems safe anymore.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s behind this rise in thefts and what you can do to safeguard your belongings, keep reading.
Parcel thieves in Brisbane are becoming increasingly audacious, stealing everything from dog food to furniture.
Many have been caught on CCTV, undeterred by visible cameras, as they walk into apartment lobbies or onto private property to swipe deliveries.
Helen Baker’s daughter faced a frustrating experience when she spent $200 on clothes, only for the parcel to be stolen just 30 minutes after delivery. The theft occurred in the mailroom of their Newstead apartment complex.
‘It’s sad that my daughter has lost items that she worked hard for, and I’m now worried about future parcels and how they are delivered,’ Baker shared.
‘This is our home and where we live, but now we don’t know whether anything that gets delivered will be safe.’
The theft was captured on CCTV, and footage was provided to the police. However, no arrests have been made, and the order has not been refunded or replaced. Baker said they also contacted corporate but had received no updates.
Victoria Laurenzi, another Brisbane resident, had a unique parcel stolen several weeks ago—crocheted animals that came with humorous emotional support messages.
The theft, also caught on CCTV, showed a man casually walking onto her Coorparoo property before grabbing the parcel and running away.
In a post on social media, she remarked: ‘Not sure a heap of crocheted animals would be of any use to him. So maybe it will make him a better human.’
The problem isn’t isolated to a few unlucky residents. A study revealed that 21% of Australians—approximately 4.2 million people—had a parcel lost or stolen in the past year.
The average value of a stolen package was $129, amounting to a collective loss of around $2.8 million annually.
Finder personal finance specialist Taylor Blackburn noted that parcel theft spikes during the holiday season and after major sales events like Black Friday, when online shopping surges.
Another Brisbane resident had hundreds of dollars worth of cosmetics stolen after a parcel was delivered to her apartment while she was away.
‘I had a friend who was house-sitting for me when I got the notification that a parcel had been delivered to our apartment, which requires a key on entry,’ she said. ‘My friend saw the parcel, ran out to the shops to get milk, and by the time she got back, the parcel was gone.’
CCTV footage revealed that the thief entered the building via an unsecured car park. While police identified the person responsible, the resident never recovered her items or received a refund.
Determined to prevent further thefts, she collaborated with neighbours to improve security in their building.
‘I keep an eye out for my neighbours’ parcels if I see them … we have banded together and created a neighbourhood watch for parcels in our lobby,’ the resident said..
She successfully campaigned for additional security measures, including a parcel locker and enhanced access controls for the car park. ‘If you are in that situation and think improvements could be made, then don’t be afraid to go to body corporate and ask them.’
If your parcel is stolen, the first step is to contact the sender, who is legally required to fulfil your order. Providing proof of delivery and order details may lead to a replacement.
However, in many cases, consumers are left to bear the loss.
Australia Post advises reporting suspected theft to the police. ‘Theft of parcels and mail after delivery is a criminal offence, and customers should get in touch with police if they suspect their mail has been tampered with or stolen,’ a spokesperson stated.
Residents in apartment complexes should also notify building management and file a non-urgent police report. Credit card insurance may cover some losses if claims are lodged within 90 days.
To minimise the risk of losing parcels, police recommend:
- Securing your letterbox with a lock.
- Leaving instructions for parcels to be left in a safe spot.
- Diverting mail to a parcel locker or private bag.
- Requesting parcel tracking and insurance for valuable items.
- If you notice mail missing, contact the sender or business directly and report the incident to the police.
With parcel theft on the rise, vigilance and proactive security measures are essential to ensure deliveries remain safe.
In a previous story, we uncovered how Australians are facing hidden costs when it comes to parcel deliveries. From unexpected fees to inflated charges, many customers may be unknowingly paying more than they should.
If you're concerned about how much you're really spending on shipping and want to find out how to avoid these hidden expenses, read our full article here.
Have you ever had a delivery stolen, or do you have any tips on keeping your parcels safe? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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