Prime Day 2026 May Drive Package Theft Spikes

The Real Numbers Behind Package Theft

Amazon Prime Day 2026 is actually a four-day shopping marathon, promising the deepest midsummer discount window. According to Amazon, Prime Day 2025 was the biggest one to date: U.S. retailers sold a record $24.1 billion during the four-day event, creating an eye-popping parcel surge that could be even larger in 2026. This massive spike in deliveries is exactly what makes the days following Prime Day so attractive to thieves.

Since package theft is a crime of opportunity, shoppers should be especially vigilant during the days following major shopping events. Each year, thieves steal millions of packages, resulting in billions of dollars in losses.

The scale of this problem is staggering. According to our own research, more than 37 million packages were stolen in 2025 alone. That’s about 101,000 packages stolen every single day! The average price of stolen packages was about $222, totaling $8 billion in stolen goods annually. And this problem isn’t evenly distributed across the country. Some states and cities face significantly higher theft rates than others.

In a recent survey of 11,000 Americans across all 50 states, researchers found these five states have the highest incidence rates of package theft in three months:

• Washington, D.C. (14%)
• Kentucky (12%)
• North Dakota (11%)
• Nebraska (10%)
• Iowa (10%)

Connecticut, Michigan, Utah, Georgia, and New Jersey had the lowest package theft rates during the same period.

What’s particularly concerning is that 12 percent of Americans have not taken any steps to prevent package theft at their homes. That’s a significant portion of the population leaving themselves vulnerable, especially during high-delivery periods like the days following Prime Day.

Remove the Target, Don’t Just Watch It

According to security experts, the key principle for reducing package theft risk is simple: remove the target, not just watch it. This is the foundation of effective package security.

The best way to protect packages isn’t just surveillance. It’s through smart rerouting and strategic delivery management. Here are the top recommendations:

Use Amazon Hub Lockers and Counters

The easiest way to eliminate package theft is to have packages delivered somewhere other than the porch. Amazon Hub Lockers and Counters are available in hundreds of cities in the U.S.

Hub Lockers: Self-service kiosks located in convenience stores, supermarkets, Whole Foods, and apartment buildings. Customers simply select their preferred locker location during checkout. Once a package is delivered, a six-digit code is provided for retrieval at any time. If a package needs to be returned, it can be dropped off at any locker, not necessarily the one where it was picked up.

Hub Lockers are eligible for:

• Items 10 pounds or less
• Items smaller than 16 x 12 x 14 inches
• Items costing less than $5,000
• Items without hazardous materials
• (Note: No Subscribe & Save items, items shipping from outside the U.S., or Release-Date Delivery items)

Hub Counters: These are staffed pickup locations available at a growing number of retail partners, including Staples and CVS. Customers simply show the staff member the barcode from their delivery notification email, and the staff will retrieve the package as long as it’s picked up within 14 days of the delivery date.

Hub Counters accept:

• Items smaller than 33 pounds or 36 x 24 x 24 inches
• Items without special handling requirements
• (Note: No Subscribe & Save items or Release-Date Delivery items)

If you live in an area with a Hub Locker or Counter and your products are eligible, this is the best defense against package theft since it removes the opportunity entirely. Shipping to a UPS Access Point is also a great option for eligible Amazon orders.

Schedule Deliveries for When You’re Home

If lockers or counters aren’t an option, the next best strategy is timing. Before checkout, customers can customize delivery instructions to schedule packages for a time when they know they’ll be home. This is simple but highly effective. Packages that aren’t left unattended aren’t stolen.

Redirect Packages to Someone Else

If you can’t be home, send packages to someone who will be. This could be a neighbor, friend, or family member. Your local post office is also an option for some deliveries.

Use a Lockbox or Parcel Box

If you prefer to have packages delivered straight to your home, invest in a lockbox or parcel box. Not only are these boxes convenient, but they make it nearly impossible for thieves as they keep packages off the porch and out of sight. It’s a straightforward way to remove the target from view.

The Role of Security Cameras and Alerts in Package Theft Prevention

Security experts emphasize an important point: a camera alone does not solve the problem of package theft. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about package security, and it’s costly.

Video doorbells and security cameras can do both deterrence and documentation, but only if used actively. A video doorbell can alert homeowners the moment a package is delivered, and two-way audio allows residents to speak to potential thieves in real time. That’s valuable. But in practice, the biggest value of a camera comes when it’s part of a bigger setup that reduces opportunity in the first place, like rerouting deliveries to a locker, scheduling drop-offs for when someone is home, or using a lockbox.

Here’s the bottom line: reducing exposure matters more than just recording a theft. The goal is to prevent theft from happening in the first place, not to catch a thief on camera after the fact.

That said, if you’re going to use cameras, here are the options that work best for home security:

Ring Indoor Cam: Ring’s latest indoor camera offers 2K video, night vision, and two-way audio. It retails for around $60, though it frequently goes on sale for significantly less.

Ring Stick Up Cam: Available in battery, plug-in, and solar-powered versions, Ring’s products range from about $60 to $150, making it flexible for indoor or outdoor use.

Ring Video Doorbell: Ring offers several video doorbell models, from the basic wired version (under $50) to the professional-grade Elite model at $350 or more (which uses Power over Ethernet). Check Ring’s current lineup for the latest options, as their product line changes frequently.

Key by Amazon: For Those Who Want Automated Access

The Key by Amazon program allows delivery drivers to access garages and gates using smart locks and controllers. Here’s what’s available and what isn’t.

Key for Garage is the most popular Key option, and for good reason. When a delivery arrives, homeowners are notified that their garage door has been opened and closed. The driver gets one-time access to place the package safely inside, out of sight and secure.

Any garage door manufactured by a major brand after 1993 with standard safety sensors will work. Homeowners need a compatible smart garage door opener; the Chamberlain myQ is a primary option and can be retrofitted to older doors. Users can also optionally link a compatible home security camera to see the delivery happen in real time.

The Key for Garage is exclusive to Prime members and works with Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and Subscribe & Save deliveries.

Key In-Gate Delivery is great if you don’t have a garage, as Amazon can deliver inside your gate instead. The driver receives one-time access on the delivery date through the Key by Amazon app, provided your gate has electrical access control that can be triggered with a relay.

Professional installation of the Ring Access Controller Pro is highly recommended and typically completed within a 90-day window. Key In-Gate is one of the more expensive solutions to package theft, but it’s extremely effective and minimally invasive.

Top Recommendation for Budget-Conscious Shoppers

For those with a limited budget for one security upgrade this Prime Day, we recommend prioritizing a lockbox, a delivery locker, or another way to keep the package off the porch. This removes the target entirely, which is always stronger than just watching it.

If you want one device that improves both package security and overall front-door security, a video doorbell with alerts and two-way audio is the best single investment. It gives visibility, a live response option, and evidence if something does happen, though remember that it works best as part of a broader strategy that emphasizes removing the target in the first place.

Package theft increases around Prime Day and Black Friday. The main thing to remember is that reducing exposure matters more than just recording a theft. Don’t leave packages on your front porch during high-theft periods. Instead, reroute them to a secure location, schedule deliveries for when you’re home, or use a lockbox. These strategies are proven to work because they eliminate the opportunity in the first place.