Package theft occurs at all times of the year, but it undoubtedly spikes during the holiday season when shoppers are having presents and holiday items shipped to their home. The economic impact of these thefts is immense, as estimates suggest more than $8.2 billion worth of online orders were stolen in the past year. To get an even better understanding of the scale and impact of porch package theft, we take a closer look at the 2025 Packer Theft Report compiled by Security.org.
Fast Facts About Retail Package Theft
Even if you’re lucky enough to not be victimized by porch package theft, odds are you know someone who has. About one in four Americans have had a package stolen at some point (64 million), and roughly 9 million have had a package stolen from them within the last three months. Let’s take a closer look at some of the facts about porch package theft in America:
- The average value of a stolen package is about $222.
- People living in apartments or condominiums are three times more likely to have packages stolen as someone in a single-family home.
- Fewer than 1 in 4 package theft victims reported their crime to local law enforcement.
- More than half of US homes now use at least one security device to protect their deliveries.
- Package theft tends to spike between October and December, when the average person receives twice as many deliveries as other three-month periods.
- 62 percent of online shoppers say they feel at least slightly anxious when waiting for packages to arrive, with nearly 25% reporting moderate to extreme anxiety about package deliveries.
- Despite these concerns, anxiety over package deliveries has actually dropped in recent years, due in part to smart home devices and improved delivery tactics.
- 88 percent of online shoppers use at least one strategy to prevent package theft, like scheduling shipments for when they are home, a doorbell camera or having neighbors bring in packages when the individual isn’t home.
- The states with the most package thefts were Kentucky, North Dakota and Nebraska.
- The state with the fewest package thefts were Connecticut, Michigan and Utah.
- In general, the Midwest is the safest area for package deliveries.
Criminal charges for package theft in Minnesota can be quite severe. Because criminal charges can be based on the value of the goods that are stolen, taking just one package can lead to felony charges if there’s something very valuable in the package.
Misdemeanor Theft – Punishable by fines up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail for theft of goods under $500.
Gross Misdemeanor Theft – Punishable by fines up to $3,000 and up to a year in jail for theft of goods between $500 and $1,000.
Felony Theft – Felony theft of goods over $1,000 can lead to three years or more in jail, as well as a fine of $5,000.
Given that home security cameras are getting more sophisticated and image capturing is clearer, an impulse move can lead to major punishments in no time. Leave the packages on the porch and avoid having to fight a theft charge in court.
If you do need assistance fighting a theft charge or similar criminal matter, connect with Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
