USPS Can Take the Lead in Combatting Porch Pirates, Says Reports

The Postal Service “is uniquely positioned” to take the lead in strategies to combat theft of packages, an inspector general report has said, recommending better collaboration between the USPS and other delivery providers, retailers and consumers.

While packages can be stolen at differing points of the delivery chain, it said, most of the focus is on theft from end-point delivery locations—porch piracy—that is projected to continue to grow along with e-commerce. Estimates of annual losses range from $5 billion to $16 billion a year.

However, shortcomings in the way data are gathered—the USPS for example consolidates mail theft and package theft into a single category in its reporting practices—limit the understanding of the scope of the problem and the ability to identify patterns and trends to target, it said.

There is also a cost in lost trust for the USPS and the other parties involved, it said. “Delivery providers, including the Postal Service, must manage increased claims processing, higher expenses, and reputational damage, potentially impacting shipper loyalty and consumer trust . . . Effectively tackling this challenge is central to the Postal Service maintaining public trust, supporting the continued growth of e-commerce, and fulfilling its broader public service mission.”

The report said that because the USPS has a high level of public trust—and a dedicated law enforcement presence—it could play a leading role in initiatives such as using:

• Secure pickup points, scheduled deliveries, secure lockers, PO boxes, and workplace deliveries and requiring signatures;
• Next-generation mailboxes and front porch lock boxes providing secure package storage;
• AI-powered theft risk assessments, tracking systems, and theft pattern analysis; and
• Discreet packaging and training delivery personnel on discreet placement.

The report did not make specific recommendations to Postal management, but in its comments the agency pointed to initiatives to better identify trends and make it easier for victims to report thefts, and said it recognizes that “package theft is not a problem that can be solved in isolation.”

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