Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging residents to take steps to protect themselves from porch pirates this holiday season. As part of her Holiday Scams Campaign, Nessel’s office is offering advice on how to avoid package thefts.
One of the tips is to ship packages to secure locations such as Amazon Lockers, FedEx offices, and workplaces. Other measures include using porch cameras, motion detectors, and keeping porches well-lit. Nessel also suggests creating the illusion of presence by leaving lights or music on when not home.
The AG’s office notes that mail and package theft is a leading cause of identity theft crimes. To reduce the risk of identity theft, consumers can opt out of pre-approved credit offers, which thieves can use to apply for credit in someone else’s name.
According to SafeWise, a home security company, package theft costs Americans nearly $16 billion annually. The issue has been a growing problem, but SafeWise reports that for the first time, package theft seems to be leveling out, with an increase of just 1 million yearly.
However, the issue continues to plague many Michigan communities, with thieves becoming increasingly brazen. In one recent case, a 23-year-old man was arrested for posing as an Amazon driver to swipe packages from porches in metro Detroit. The man, Yohangel Martin Polanco Melo, was dressed in an Amazon vest, bucket-style hat, and surgical mask, and stole iPhones from several homes.
Convictions for stealing mail or packages in Michigan can result in a misdemeanor with a potential jail sentence of one year, plus fines. Repeat offenders risk up to five years in prison under state and federal law.