As the holiday season approaches, Attorney General Ashley Moody is advising consumers on how to safeguard their packages from theft. Last year, $12 billion worth of packages were stolen from doorsteps across the United States. In response, Attorney General Moody advocated for legislation that increased penalties for porch piracy.
Attorney General Ashley Moody stated, “Leading up to Christmas last year, we saw an astonishing number of emboldened porch pirates snatching packages from doorsteps nationwide. To get ahead of this trend, I worked with lawmakers to strengthen state laws against porch piracy. But even with stronger laws in place to deter these crimes, Floridians need to take extra precautions to protect home deliveries.”
To assist residents in securing their deliveries, Attorney General Moody has provided several recommendations:
- Avoid leaving packages unattended by scheduling deliveries when someone will be home or asking a neighbor to retrieve them.
- Consider having items shipped to a nearby store if purchasing online from a retailer with a physical location.
- Install security cameras and signs indicating surveillance to discourage potential thieves.
- Use tracking services offered by delivery companies for real-time updates on package arrivals.
Earlier this year, Attorney General Moody supported HB 549, which intensifies penalties for porch piracy. The law now categorizes stealing an item valued over $40 from a structure as a third-degree felony.
For additional information on holiday-related scams and protection tips, refer to Attorney General Moody’s 2024 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide.
Victims of package theft are encouraged to contact local law enforcement immediately.