Why are AT&T’s iPhone shipments being targeted?
Multiple doorbell videos from several states show the scheme in action. The FedEx driver leaves the box with the new AT&T iPhone inside it by the door. Seconds later, the porch pirate, often wearing an Amazon delivery vest, swoops in and takes the package. The crime was recorded on video in such states as New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Michigan, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. The Journal notes that the thief moves in so fast that the FedEx driver and the porch pirate often cross paths.
AT&T and FedEx are working together to stop these thefts and are teaming up with law enforcement. A typical story is similar to what happened to Jaqueline Rosales who ordered five new iPhones for her family in August from AT&T. All five of the phones were stolen and the video that the victim recorded from her doorbell camera showed the thief rushing out of his car, grabbing the phones, and reentering his vehicle in a span of 10 seconds.
Rosales had noticed the same car driving up and down her block hours before the delivery. Commenting on the crime she said, “I’ve ordered high-value items before. This has never been a problem. It’s so weird and alarming.”
AT&T says that it doesn’t require a signature for a package to be delivered because it wants to make it easier for customers to receive their phones. It also costs FedEx shippers an extra $7.15 per package to request a signature on a delivery.
“From time to time, we must contend with sophisticated criminals trying to steal high-value items, and we understand how frustrating and stressful that can be for our customers. When these unfortunate events occur, we work as quickly as possible with the customer to make it right.”-AT&T spokesman
The arrest of two porch-pirating teens yields a clue pointing to the involvement of an AT&T insider
AT&T needs to work with law enforcement to discover how two teens were able to get their hands on the tracking numbers belonging to the carrier’s parcels being shipped via FedEx. This smacks of a rogue insider at the company making a little money on the side. The wireless provider should also require that a signature be captured in order for a package to be delivered just like Verizon and T-Mobile do.
Another AT&T customer had her new iPhone 16 stolen off her porch last month. While AT&T did put a block on the device and ship a replacement, it would not, even at the customer’s request, ask for a signature requirement for the replacement package. Nor would the carrier ship the phone to the customer’s workplace or send it to a nearby AT&T store. The customer said that she told AT&T, “Well, son of a gun, you know I might have another iPhone stolen.”