Australia Post is sounding the warning on “porch pirates” taking cruel advantage of the seasonal spike in parcel deliveries.

Porch pirates are opportunistic thieves who are riding the boom in online shopping to steal parcels left on doorsteps.

With Australia’s biggest consumer spending season now spreading from Black Friday in late November all the way to Boxing Day on December 26, many of us are getting multiple deliveries at the moment.

“If a parcel is stolen after it has been delivered it becomes a matter for police. However, we’re encouraging customers to consider our secure delivery options to reduce the risk of this happening,” Australia Post general manager group security Kevin Zuccato said.

“We know customers are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their parcels, especially ahead of Christmas, so please remain vigilant.”

Anyone who thought their mail had been stolen should contact police or Crime Stoppers, he said.

Earlier this year, Finder estimated there were more than $600 million in lost deliveries in Australia every year – finding that one in five of those it surveyed had had a parcel stolen or lost in the past year. Of those, 7 per cent said their package was stolen from their home after it had been delivered.

In the US, criminals stole an estimated US$12 billion ($19 billion) worth of deliveries, according to data from Security.org, which reviews security products.

The problem is so bad in America that hashtags such as #porchpirate and #doorbellfail trend on social media. They’re usually accompanied by clips showing homeowners getting revenge on the opportunistic thieves with parcels that explode in a cloud of coloured dye or liquid.

In Milwaukee, one police branch has even become a de facto parcel drop-off centre. For a small donation, locals can have their parcels delivered to the police station so they can pick it safely.

Detective Jennifer Gerke came up with the holiday package program idea to deal with the wave of cheeky thieves.

“It really only takes a split second to get out of a car, run, grab [someone’s parcel], get back in, and take off,” she said.

“A lot of times these are people that aren’t from [our] community, so it’s not like we’re necessarily going to recognise them by face, so it takes a lot of investigation to figure out who it is.”

Finder spokesman Taylor Blackburn also had tips for shoppers.

“Start by noting the estimated delivery date so you can anticipate when your package will arrive,” he said.

“If you won’t be home, consider alternative arrangements, such as redirecting to a safe collection point.”

Other preventative measures include requesting a signature on delivery, installing security cameras or leaving specific instructions for couriers to drop packages in a secure spot.

“These small steps can significantly reduce the risk of theft,” Blackburn said.

“If your goods are stolen, all is not lost. If you paid with a credit card, you may be entitled to a refund if your card has purchase protection.

“Most retail items you buy for yourself are covered, such as clothing, jewellery, laptops or art.”

Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive Stella Smith said opportunistic thieves were looking for any chance to strike quickly and quietly.

“Simple steps like choosing secure delivery options and reporting any suspicious behaviour can make a real difference,” she said.

“If you have footage of suspicious activity or information about a theft, share it with Crime Stoppers to help prevent further incidents.”

In Victoria, suspicious activity captured on home security cameras can also be uploaded directly to Crime Stoppers or reported by calling 1800 333 000.