FedEx packages containing AT&T iPhones have been vanishing from porches nationwide in mere moments after being delivered, with thieves appearing to have an alarming edge—tracking numbers which let perpetrators time their heists with precision. Moreover, AT&T deliveries generally don’t require a signature upon delivery, a factor that leaves these high-value packages easy pickings for savvy criminals.
Footage from doorbell cameras has captured these thefts in states as far-flung as New York, Michigan, and Texas. The scenes are often strikingly similar: a FedEx driver drops off an iPhone delivery from AT&T, and moments later, a thief—sometimes disguised as another delivery worker—casually walks up to swipe the package. In some videos, the FedEx driver and thief passing each other on the doorstep. “They know exactly what’s being delivered and where,” Detective Lt. Matt Arsenault from Massachusetts told The Wall Street Journal. “The thieves just meet the delivery driver at the door and take it.”
Since the pandemic, there’s been a noticeable rise in porch thefts as people returned to offices, leaving homes unattended during the day. But the recent wave is distinctly focused on FedEx deliveries for AT&T. Both companies are working with law enforcement but have yet to disclose just how many iPhones have been stolen.
The incidents are widespread. Jacqueline Rosales, in Georgia, watched her entire order of five iPhones for her family vanish within minutes, captured on video by her security camera. “I’ve ordered expensive things before, and this never happened,” she said, still shaken by the experience.
AT&T has faced criticism for its lax signature policy, with many arguing that requiring signatures could prevent these thefts. In Texas, Lindsay Lorio had her new iPhone 16 stolen and faced similar frustrations when she was unable to request a signature for the replacement delivery. “I was worried it would happen again,” she explained.
Meanwhile, police in Texas recently apprehended two teens linked to these thefts, using AT&T’s tracking information to pinpoint deliveries. But the thefts continue, leaving many questioning how secure their packages really are.
