Package stolen from your porch in Las Vegas: what to do
In plain words: taking a delivered package off your porch is a felony in Nevada, whether the Postal Service or a private carrier brought it. Report it to the seller or carrier first, because that is usually the fastest way to a refund or replacement, then report it to police so there's a record, and keep every photo and tracking screen.
The first hour
- Screenshot the tracking page with the delivered time and any delivery photo
- Save doorbell or neighbor camera clips before they write over
- Write down the order number, what was in the box and what you paid
- Look behind planters, at side doors, the leasing office and your mailroom
- Ask close neighbors; misdelivered boxes are common in the holiday rush
- Read the tracking note for "handed to resident" or a locker
Getting your money back
- Report it as "delivered but not received" in your order history
- Many large sellers replace or refund; their policy sets the deadline, so act fast
- Give them your police report number if they ask for one
- The shipper usually has to file the carrier claim, so ask the seller to do it
- A package you shipped yourself: file with the carrier you paid, using your receipt
- If the seller won't make it right, dispute the charge with your card company
- The steps and deadlines are on returns, refunds and card disputes
- Theft from your home may be covered, minus your deductible
- Most holiday packages cost less than the deductible, so check before you file
Report it to police
What the law says
- "Mail" includes a parcel or package the postal service delivers to you
- "Postal service" means the U.S. Postal Service or a private common mail carrier
- Taking or hiding it to deprive you of it is a category D felony
- Buying or holding mail you should know was stolen is covered too
- The court must order restitution
- 1 to 4 years in state prison
- A fine of up to $5,000 may be added
When it's charged as theft instead
- Under $1,200: petit larceny, a misdemeanor (NRS 205.240), up to 6 months in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both (NRS 193.150)
- $1,200 or more but under $5,000: grand larceny, a category D felony (NRS 205.220, 205.222)
- Someone who buys or keeps your stolen items can be charged even if the thief isn't (NRS 205.275)
Getting paid back after a conviction
A person convicted of theft is civilly liable for the property not recovered in its original condition, at its retail or fair market value, whichever is greater. The prosecutor must tell you how the charges ended within 30 days, by mail to your last known address, so keep your address current. A restitution order signed by the judge counts as a judgment you can collect on (NRS 205.980). See collecting a judgment.
Suing the person yourself
If you know who took it, you can sue for the value in small claims court without waiting for a criminal case. Start at small claims in Las Vegas.
Stop the next one
- Ship to a store pickup counter or a parcel locker
- Ask for signature on delivery for anything costly
- Ship to work if your employer allows it
- Turn on delivery alerts and bring boxes in the same hour
- Ask the leasing office whether it holds packages
- A lockable porch box keeps boxes out of sight
A text says your package is held or needs a fee
That's a common holiday scam, not a real delivery problem. Check the order only in the seller's own app or site. More on holiday scams.
Read 2026-11-05 from Nevada Revised Statutes on this house's law shelf: NRS 205.220, 205.222, 205.240, 205.275, 205.975 and 205.980 (chapter 205, Rev. 4/15/2026); NRS 193.130 and 193.150 (chapter 193, Rev. 4/15/2026).