Millions of Aussies Targeted by Bold 'Porch Pirate' Thefts
- admin928749
- Mar 17
- 2 min read
If you’ve ever waited excitedly for a delivery only for it to mysteriously vanish, you’re not alone. A new survey has found that one in five Australians—that’s about 4.1 million people—have had a parcel stolen or lost in the past year.
These “porch pirates” (yes, that’s a real term) are brazenly snatching packages right off people’s doorsteps, and the numbers are rising as more Aussies opt for online shopping and home deliveries.
How Are These Parcels Going Missing?
According to Finder’s survey of 1011 people:
7% had a package stolen after it had already been delivered.
6% said their parcel was sent to the wrong address.
5% never even saw their order—it was simply lost in transit.
And the cost? The average missing package is worth $145, which adds up to a whopping $606 million in lost deliveries every year.
Who’s Getting Hit the Hardest?
Gen Z shoppers (aged 13–28) seem to be the biggest victims of porch piracy, with 30% reporting a stolen or lost parcel in the last year.
How to Protect Your Deliveries
Finder’s Taylor Blackburn says there are a few ways to outsmart the thieves:
Install security cameras to catch them in the act.
Track your parcels so you know exactly when they arrive.
Give specific delivery instructions (like leaving packages in a hidden spot).
And if your parcel does go missing, there’s still hope! If you paid with a credit card, you might be able to get a refund through purchase protection—which covers most retail items like clothing, jewellery, laptops, and even art.
Grocery Deliveries Are Also Being Targeted
It’s not just online shopping that’s under attack—food deliveries are also being snatched from doorsteps. Just last week, an Adelaide woman shared footage of a man taking her $170 Woolworths order right off her porch.
“I was inside the house with my baby and opened the door two minutes after he left!” she said.
Police are now investigating the incident, but one thing is clear—porch pirates are getting bolder. If you’re expecting a package, keep an eye on your doorstep!
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