A recent report indicates that porch pirates — individuals who steal packages from doorsteps shortly after they are delivered — may be using tracking data from AT&T to monitor iPhone deliveries.
There has been an increase in the number of stolen iPhones from doorsteps after orders through AT&T that are delivered by FedEx, seemingly aided by real-time delivery notifications …
CNET has the details.
A new surge in 2024 package thefts has exposed a troubling method — with thieves accessing private tracking data to know exactly when packages arrive, particularly iPhones. This enables these opportunistic porch pirates to steal phones right at the moment they are delivered […]
Criminals are somehow obtaining tracking numbers or similar data for iPhone deliveries, providing them with real-time notifications about package arrivals, allowing them to act as soon as there is a status update.
AT&T is one of the few telecom providers that frequently allows high-value items like iPhones to be delivered without requiring a signature, making it easier for thieves to grab unattended packages.
Neither AT&T nor FedEx has issued a statement, and law enforcement remains involved in the investigation. One possibility is that internal AT&T employees are illegally accessing data and selling it to thieves.
The report advises consumers to choose companies and carriers that mandate signatures for high-value shipments to prevent packages from being left unsecured on porches.
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