‘Tis the Season For Theft – Warning From Minnesota Sheriff About Porch Pirates

Shopping online has become the norm.  Etsy.  Amazon.  Walmart.  Old Navy.  Target.  You can even walk into some stores and if a size isn't available that you want, they can have it shipped to your house from there too.  It's a genius strategy.

We aren't the only ones who are taking advantage of packages being sent directly to our house.  In 2024, the guess is that 120.5 million packages are being stolen from porches in the United States.  33% of those stolen packages are the happy Amazon boxes and bags with smiles on it.

READ MORE: $500 Shopping Spree at Target Could Be Yours - Tap For More

Worst States for Porch Pirates Now Includes Minnesota and Iowa

Forbes.com shared some insightful data regarding porch pirates including a list of the worst states for this crime.  This list, combined with Google searches of "package stolen" show that Minnesota and Iowa are being negatively impacted by larceny, which is the theft of personal property belonging to someone else.

According to Forbes' list, Iowa is ranked #4, and Minnesota is the 9th worst state for larceny and Google searches related to stolen packages.  In other words...now is the time to put the tips below in place to help protect the items being shipped to your home.

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Minnesota Sheriff's Office Offers Tips To Prevent Porch Pirates

Walmart has already started its Black Friday deals for its Walmart+ shoppers.  Based on my early searching on the Target website, some of its deals have also already started.  No matter if you are grabbing the deals or just doing your everyday shopping, below are a few tips from the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office to help keep your packages safe from porch pirates.

With the Holiday Season approaching, many are taking advantage of online shopping, which means more packages will be delivered to your doorstep. To help protect your deliveries from theft, here are a few tips:

- Track and pickup delivered packages

- Have packages delivered to a secure location

- Require a signature for high-value items

- Purchase a lockable Package Delivery Box

- Install a video doorbell or security camera