How Many Packages Are Stolen Annually? (2025 Data)

An estimated 104 million packages were stolen in the United States in the past year, according to SafeWise’s 2025 Package Theft Report. This staggering figure represents a 13% decline from the 120 million stolen in 2023—the first year-over-year drop since tracking began. Despite this improvement, porch piracy remains a $37 billion problem affecting roughly 1 in 4 American households annually.

Security.org’s parallel research estimates 37 million packages stolen totaling over $8 billion in merchandise, while FBI-backed research from Omnisend calculated 241 million parcels stolen at a cost of $15.7 billion. The discrepancy stems from different methodologies—some count individual packages while others track affected households—but all sources agree: tens of millions of Americans fall victim to porch pirates every year.

Numbers at a glance

• 58 million Americans were victims of package theft in 2024, according to Security.org
• 25% of Americans had a package stolen in the past year (up from 21% in 2022)
• $204 average value per stolen package (Security.org); other estimates range from $65–$219
• 57% of all package thefts occur during November and December
• 3% arrest rate for package theft; only 0.3% of thefts result in conviction
• 3.5x higher theft rate for apartment residents vs. homeowners

The financial impact of porch piracy

Package theft costs American consumers an estimated $15 billion in the past 12 months, according to SafeWise. Retailers absorbed an additional $22 billion in replacement costs, refunds, and fraud-related losses—bringing the total economic impact to $37 billion annually.

The average stolen package contains merchandise worth between $65 and $219, depending on the source. According to Security.org, the average value is $204, while Chamber of Commerce respondents reported $81.91 and FBI-backed data from Omnisend found 85% of thefts involved items under $100. Notably, the average value of stolen packages jumped nearly 10% over the past year, suggesting thieves may be becoming more selective.

Package theft by state and region

Colorado leads the nation with 69% of residents reporting package theft victimization—a position it has held for three consecutive years. Utah (67%), California (65%), Texas (64%), and Washington (63%) round out the top five. The state’s high ranking correlates with Denver metro’s apartment density, affluent suburbs, and what researchers describe as sophisticated theft rings.

By raw victim count, California accounts for 16.5% of all package theft victims nationally due to its large population. District of Columbia residents face the highest per-capita risk at 14%. Meanwhile, packages stolen in Indiana and Mississippi had the highest median value at $250, and nearly 30% of Kentucky households experienced theft.

Regionally, the West and Northeast experience the highest theft rates, while the Midwest remains the safest area for package deliveries. Cleveland recorded the most thefts per capita among major metros—nearly 1,400 per 1,000 households—suggesting repeat victimization is common. San Francisco consistently ranks among the worst cities for per-capita theft rates.

Holiday season and seasonal patterns

December marks peak porch pirate season, with roughly 57% of all annual package thefts concentrated in November and December. Los Angeles recorded 436 package thefts in December 2024 compared to a monthly average of 295—a 48% spike during the holiday season.

The surge correlates with increased delivery volume: nearly 70% of 2025 holiday shopping happened online, with each adult expecting 25 packages between October and December—twice the normal three-month average. More than 1 in 4 Americans report having a package stolen specifically during the holidays, and 70% expect porch pirates to strike more frequently after Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

Theft by delivery carrier

Amazon packages account for the lion’s share of thefts at 71.9% of reported stolen items, followed by UPS (31.3%), FedEx (29.7%), and USPS (28.8%). These percentages exceed 100% because many victims have experienced theft from multiple carriers.

A separate Security.org analysis found slightly different distributions: 18.3% of victims had USPS packages stolen, 17.1% lost FedEx deliveries, and 15.7% lost UPS packages. The legal implications differ by carrier—stealing USPS mail constitutes a federal felony, while UPS and FedEx thefts fall under state laws ranging from petty theft to trespassing.

Why porch piracy goes unpunished

Package theft remains one of the most under-prosecuted property crimes in America. Only 31% of victims file police reports, just 11.8% of those reports lead to investigation, and only 3.2% result in arrest. In Denver, the arrest rate sits at approximately 3%, meaning a porch pirate is far more likely to get caught on camera than in handcuffs.

Law enforcement resources typically don’t extend to property crimes under $1,000, and prosecutors prioritize more serious offenses. Only 4% of victims ever recovered their stolen packages. These numbers explain why prevention—not prosecution—remains the most effective defense against porch piracy.

How effective are prevention methods?

Eighty-eight percent of online shoppers now use at least one theft prevention strategy, though 33 million Americans’ deliveries remain unprotected. The most popular approaches include staying home to receive packages (60%), tracking deliveries (58%), signing up for delivery alerts (40%), and installing doorbell cameras (35%).

Doorbell camera effectiveness remains hotly debated. MIT Media Lab researchers found no significant correlation between Ring’s Neighbors app posting rates and actual crime statistics. Among package theft victims, 22% already had a doorbell camera when the theft occurred, and 38% of respondents believe cameras are no longer an effective deterrent. Cameras alone lead to arrests in just 17% of captured incidents.

However, the Loss Prevention Research Council found video doorbells provide a 73% theft reduction when paired with visible warning signs. Security camera ownership has increased significantly: 52% of households now have a security camera (up from 42% in 2023), and 45% have video doorbells (up from 37%).

The takeaway: physical barriers consistently outperform surveillance-only approaches. A $200 package lockbox prevents more theft than a $3,000 camera system, though cameras add value through evidence collection and general home security. Households implementing two or more methods saw the best results—video doorbell plus lockbox achieved 96% theft reduction.

What makes a package vulnerable?

Research using video analysis of porch piracy incidents reveals clear patterns. 98% of stolen packages were visible from the street, 61% were located within 25 feet of the curb, and there were no recorded thefts of packages located more than 51 feet from the roadway. Most thefts occur during daylight hours and involve medium-sized boxes with visible brand names.

Apartment residents face 3.5x higher theft rates than homeowners, particularly those in buildings without a mailroom or doorman. Urbanites are 36% more likely to experience theft than the national average, while rural residents are 33% less likely. The average adult receives 65 shipments yearly—more than 22 billion deliveries nationally—creating abundant opportunities for theft.

Frequently asked questions

How many packages are stolen each year in the U.S.?

Estimates range from 37 million to 241 million packages annually, depending on methodology. SafeWise’s 2025 report estimates 104 million stolen packages, down 13% from the previous year’s 120 million.

What percentage of Americans have had a package stolen?

41% of Americans report having a package stolen at least once in their lifetime, up from 35% in 2022. One in four (25%) experienced theft in the past year.

What is the average value of a stolen package?

Estimates vary from $65 to $219 depending on the source. Security.org reports $204 as the average, while 85% of thefts involve items under $100.

Which states have the highest package theft rates?

Colorado leads at 69% victimization rate, followed by Utah (67%), California (65%), Texas (64%), and Washington (63%). Colorado has held the top position for three consecutive years.

Do doorbell cameras prevent package theft?

Research is mixed. Video doorbells with visible warning signs can reduce theft by 73%, but 22% of theft victims already had cameras installed. Physical barriers like package lockboxes (94% effectiveness) outperform cameras alone.

What happens if I report package theft to police?

Only about 3% of reported package thefts result in arrest, and just 0.3% end in conviction. Most victims turn to retailers for refunds instead—delivery companies and retailers typically provide replacements more readily than police solve cases.

When is package theft most common?

Roughly 57% of all package thefts occur during November and December. December shows a 48% spike in theft incidents compared to the monthly average. Most thefts happen during daylight hours.

Is stealing a package a felony?

Stealing USPS mail is a federal felony. However, packages delivered by private carriers (UPS, FedEx, Amazon) fall under state laws, which typically classify theft as a misdemeanor for items under $500–$1,000, depending on the state.

Final thoughts

The 13% year-over-year decline in package theft—from 120 million to 104 million incidents—marks the first improvement since tracking began. Rising security camera adoption (now in 52% of households), increased use of package lockers, and greater consumer vigilance appear to be making a dent in porch piracy.

Yet the $37 billion annual economic toll and near-zero prosecution rate underscore that this remains primarily a prevention problem, not an enforcement one. With the average adult expecting 25 packages during the holiday season alone, the opportunity for theft isn’t going away. The most effective protection combines physical barriers (lockers, lockboxes, signature requirements) with visible deterrents (cameras with signage), accepting that catching porch pirates is far harder than stopping them.

Sources & methodology

• SafeWise 2025 U.S. Package Theft Report — Annual consumer survey tracking theft incidents, dollar losses, and metro-level data
• Security.org 2025 Package Theft Report — Survey of 3,300+ Americans on theft experiences and prevention measures
• Capital One Shopping Package Theft Statistics — Research compilation with FBI-backed data
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Package Theft Statistics — Consumer survey data on theft values and patterns
• Guardian Protection 2025 City Rankings — Metro-area theft analysis
• Scientific American: Do Video Doorbells Really Prevent Crime? — Academic research on camera effectiveness
• Pinkerton: What’s Behind Holiday Season Package Theft — Seasonal pattern analysis

Methodological note: Package theft statistics vary significantly between sources due to differing definitions (individual packages vs. theft incidents vs. affected households) and survey methodologies. Where estimates conflict, we present the range of figures with source attribution.