Parcel theft– keeping your Christmas shopping safe from porch pirates

Porch pirates have been busy this year – nicking a whopping £666 million worth of packages in the UK, according to tech firm Quadient. That’s about £290 million compared to the year before.

The festive season is in full swing and lots of us are making use of online shopping to get our gifts sorted. But if you’re not in when the delivery arrives, it’s often left in plain sight creating the perfect opportunity for porch pirates looking to swipe your parcel.

When that happens, you're down a present and your hard-earned cash. Not fun. The good news? There’s plenty you can do to keep your shopping safe from the wannabe Grinch trying to steal your Christmas. And if the worst does happen, you’ve got rights – you can absolutely chase a redelivery or refund. We dig into all that below.

How to protect yourself from porch pirates

Keeping your deliveries safe from porch pirates is often easier said than done. If your courier's in a rush and dumps your parcel on the doorstep before legging it, you’re left hoping no one nabs it before you get back.

Here are some things you can do to keep your delivery safe:

• Track your parcel – most retailers give you live updates, and you can often set a safe place or ask for a re-delivery if you’re not in.
• Think about a video doorbell – they put off chancers because nobody wants to be caught on camera. Some models even light up at night if they’re hardwired, so they’re easy to spot.
• Use a locker or pick-up point – if your delivery company offers it, get your parcel sent to a locker or a nearby shop and collect it when it suits you.

What are your rights if someone steals your package

If your parcel goes missing, you’ve got rights. Our resident consumer expert Vix Leyton weighs in: “You are entitled to a replacement or a refund if the item never reached you, regardless of where it was left.

“Don’t be bullied or scared into conceding defeat either – some companies have deliberately stern terms and conditions they ask you to agree to in order to investigate your complaint that can include everything from checking your local area to knocking on all your neighbours’ doors, but that is not your job.

“Your rights are clear; if it’s not in your hands or hands you have specifically designated, they must pay up or replace, but it might require a lot of persistence.”

So, unless you or a nominated neighbour physically receive the delivery, you’re entitled to compensation via a refund or redelivery. Simple as that.

Vix’s top tips for getting your money back (or your item)

• Report it straight away – tell the retailer you didn’t get your parcel. Chase the retailer, not the courier – your contract’s with them.
• Keep records – save screenshots of live chats, and if you speak on the phone, follow up with an email confirming what was said.
• Be persistent – you’ve got every right to a refund or replacement, but some retailers drag their feet. Keep checking in until you get what you’re owed.

Consumer rights are there to protect you, so don’t let anyone fob you off.

Before you panic…

Make sure your parcel's actually gone. Some delivery drivers get creative with “safe places” if you haven’t set one. Vix says: “Drivers under pressure to clear long rounds are increasingly stashing parcels in spots that wouldn’t pass a common-sense test.

"That includes bins, behind planters, under garden furniture – sometimes places so obscure you wonder if you’re supposed to solve a riddle to find them. Check anywhere someone in a rush might think is a good idea.”

Loads of delivery notifications now include photos, so check those for clues. And if you still can’t find it, don’t stress – it’s on the retailer to sort things out for you.