Porch Pirates Are Making Travelers Change Their Holiday Plans, New Data Shows

Photo by Sticker Mule on Unsplash

New analysis from Hanwha Vision reveals that Americans aren’t just protecting their gifts this year—they’re changing their holiday travel schedules, delivery habits, and home routines to avoid becoming victims of package theft.

With 62 percent of Americans fearing porch pirates in 2025, households are delaying vacations, rerouting deliveries, asking neighbors to monitor their homes, or installing new home security systems before they leave. For many, the holiday season now includes a full “security checklist” before any trip.

Key Findings

• 62% of Americans are worried about porch pirates this year.

• 59.5% are willing to pay extra for secure delivery options.

• 40.5% say safety concerns shaped whether they shopped online or in-store.

• 61% of Gen Z say safety influenced their holiday shopping decisions.

• 31% don’t trust retailers to provide adequate in-store security.

• 35.5% avoid crowded stores or peak hours due to safety concerns.

• Only 31% expect their holiday spending to rise this year.

These concerns are creating new ripple effects across travel behavior. Families are time-blocking deliveries around travel, shifting flights to avoid leaving packages unattended, and using parcel lockers or work addresses as temporary alternatives. Short weekend trips are being canceled altogether if a high-value delivery is expected.

Online Threats Rising at the Same Time

Another report highlights how quickly digital risks are growing. E-commerce fraud rose 207 percent in North America from Q1 2024 to Q1 2025, with major increases in:

• stolen or intercepted packages

• account takeovers

• fake delivery notifications

• scam websites offering deep holiday discounts

Analysts warn that high shipping volumes and aggressive holiday sales create ideal conditions for porch piracy and digital fraud to rise together, forcing households to think about how secure their homes are before they even leave for the airport.

Why Travel Plans Are Changing

According to Hanwha Vision’s data, travelers are adjusting holiday trips by:

1. Installing cameras or smart lights before leaving

2. Delaying vacations until packages arrive

3. Scheduling deliveries only when someone is home

4. Avoiding same-day travel + delivery overlap

5. Sending gifts to pickup hubs, lockers, or relatives’ homes

6. Asking neighbors to watch for packages during trips

Security is now part of the holiday planning process, not an afterthought.

A New Definition of ‘Holiday Preparedness’

What used to be a season focused on gifts and celebrations now includes risk assessment, delivery strategy, and home security planning. With tighter budgets and heightened fears of theft, Americans are doing everything possible to ensure their purchases and homes stay protected.

For many households, peace of mind has become the most valuable gift of the season.

For deeper insights into this year’s holiday security trends, view Hanwha Vision’s full analysis here: https://hanwhavisionamerica.com/blog/more-than-shopping-lists-why-security-is-at-the-center-of-the-2025-holiday-season/