Disguised Porch Pirate Steals iPhones, Family Sent to Collections

The Porch Pirate Heist

• 🎯 A porch pirate, disguised as an Amazon delivery person, was caught on camera stealing two iPhone 15 Pro Maxes from an East Brunswick family.
• 📦 The impostor, wearing an Amazon vest, swapped the real package containing the iPhones with an empty decoy box to delay discovery.
• 🚚 The theft occurred shortly after a legitimate FedEx truck delivered the package.

A Cascade of Errors

• ⚠️ After the theft, the family contacted AT&T and was instructed to reorder the phones at no charge.
• 🧾 Weeks later, the family received a collection notice for $1,200, despite believing the issue was resolved.
• 🏦 The family member, who works in finance, expressed concern that a collection notice could jeopardize his job.

Resolution Through Media Intervention

• 📞 The family reached out to "Seven on Your Side" for assistance due to the ongoing issue.
• 📧 Following media involvement, a representative from the AT&T president's office contacted the family.
• ✅ The AT&T representative resolved the issue, wiping the $1,200 charge from their account.

Company Response and Prevention

• 📦 AT&T acknowledged parcel theft as a significant concern and stated they are updating processes and training.
• 🗣️ The company admitted the situation fell short of their standards for customer concern resolution.
• 💡 Recommendations for preventing porch piracy include Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPUS), sending packages to work, using secure lockers, requiring signatures, and providing specific delivery instructions.
• 🕵️ The possibility of inside jobs or delivery drivers being followed was also discussed as a concern.