With the increasing demand for online shopping, parcel theft crimes have become more rampant. According to a recent report, American consumers have lost up to $15 billion due to parcel theft in the past year, and law enforcement agencies are stepping up efforts to combat this issue. How can consumers prevent parcel theft?
As we enter the holiday shopping season, police departments across the country are reminding the public to protect their personal belongings and avoid becoming targets for thieves while enjoying the holidays. Police are using various methods to target thieves. A recent law enforcement event in Irvine, a wealthy Chinese community in Orange County, California, has attracted attention.
The Irvine Police Department announced on social media that two Chinese women were suspected of committing large-scale parcel theft in the community. After receiving reports, police used a drone to search the area near Perlita and Gitano streets and quickly identified the suspects’ Tesla vehicle near a high-end apartment mailroom.
The drone captured the two suspects taking some parcels and attempting to enter another mailroom to continue the theft. The police arrived at the scene and arrested the two individuals for burglary, retrieving several stolen parcels from the vehicle.
According to publicly released photos from the police, the stolen parcels were mostly daily necessities and food items. The suspects were identified as 26-year-old Shensha Fan and 52-year-old Fang Hou, both residing in the affluent city of Yorba Linda.
This incident has sparked heated discussions in the community, with some claiming that the two suspects are mother and daughter living in a $5 million mansion, although this information has not been confirmed by the police. The police emphasized that those who commit theft will face consequences.
Parcel theft incidents occur daily, with many consumers complaining about online purchases disappearing. According to the annual study by the independent security review website SafeWise.com and the home security system company SimpliSafe, approximately 104 million parcels were stolen in the U.S. in the past 12 months, amounting to a total loss of $15 billion.
Among all states, California has the highest losses, with 11.82 million parcel theft incidents and losses close to $1.55 billion in a year; Los Angeles alone accounts for nearly 4.3 million incidents, with losses of around $150 million.
In terms of city rankings, Chicago tops the list as the city with the most severe parcel theft in the U.S., with losses exceeding $254 million in the past 12 months; followed by New York City with losses of $248 million, and Miami ranking third with losses around $214 million.
Rebecca Edwards, a security expert from SafeWise, pointed out that the economic losses caused by parcel theft are still significant. When considering retail replacement and refund costs, the total losses have actually exceeded $37 billion, putting pressure on retailers, operators, and consumers.
However, Edwards also noted that the total number of parcel theft incidents decreased for the first time this year, from 120 million in 2023 to approximately 104 million in the 2024-2025 period, a 13% decrease. This indicates that preventive and deterrent measures have begun to show effects.
So, how can the public effectively prevent parcel thieves? Experts from SafeWise and SimpliSafe offer the following suggestions:
1) Opt for delivery alerts to track parcel delivery progress in real-time; if unable to receive parcels, arrange for someone else to collect them.
2) Install home security systems and outdoor surveillance cameras. Visual doorbells and outdoor cameras can effectively deter thieves and help monitor the delivery status of parcels. Videos can serve as crucial evidence in case of theft.
3) Utilize signature receipt parcel services to ensure purchased items, especially valuable ones, are not left unattended on doorsteps.
4) Collaborate with neighbors. When traveling or away from home, ask neighbors or nearby friends to keep parcels safe until your return.
5) Provide specific delivery instructions when checking out online. For instance, ask delivery personnel to place parcels at side or back doors, or in designated delivery boxes not visible from the street.
6) Ensure adequate lighting in front of and around the house, which is also a method to reduce the risk of parcel theft. The better the lighting, the lower the chances of thieves targeting the property.