Sticky-fingered porch pirates will undoubtedly be more active throughout the mid-Island region throughout December (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

scam season

Nanaimo Mounties offer proactive advice to avoid getting scrooged

Dec 2, 2025 | 5:25 AM

NANAIMO — Grinch-like thieves will be hard at work this holiday shopping season, warns Nanaimo RCMP.

Cst. Gary O’Brien said their detachment expects complaints of stolen door-front packages to increase as the month progresses.

He said a package left unattended for any length of time is an invitation to be stolen.

“If you’re not going to be home arrange for an alternate place, maybe at a trusted neighbour, maybe at a UPS shop, but don’t be leaving hundreds of dollars unprotected on your front step,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

He said consumers can also take advantage of customized delivery instructions, such as having packages concealed by couriers on your property.

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While on-site security cameras can help identify parcel bandits, O’Brien said those measures won’t deter opportunistic thieves.

Commonly referred to as ‘porch pirates,’ O’Brien said these brazen offenders have been known to drive around residential neighbourhoods to specifically track unattended packages and delivery vehicles.

“A parcel is dropped off at a house, they wait for the delivery truck to leave and they’re gone with the package.”

Tips from the Better Business Bureau to prevent package thefts can be viewed here.

Retail shopping tips

Crimes of opportunity arise as soon as an unsuspecting victim parks their vehicles prior to shopping, Cst. O’brien said

He emphasized it’s of paramount importance for shoppers to have their vehicles locked and all visible valuables out of sight.

He recommends parking in high-traffic and visible areas, as well as opting for well-lit stalls during evening shopping trips.

Women with purses are especially vulnerable to pick-pocketers inside malls and stores, O’Brien said.

He said all shoppers need to guard their debit and credit card PIN numbers at the cashier.

“Make sure there’s not somebody too close; we call that shoulder surfing, where they can pick up your PIN number, it’s very important to do that.”

O’Brien said printed receipts can be combined with other personal information assembled by thieves to decode user debit and credit card numbers.

He added online shoppers need to make sure they are dealing with reputable websites.

The federal RCMP’s Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has a list of 12 frauds for the holidays listed here.

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