A Seattle resident is raising concerns about the security of Amazon lockers, saying the system meant to prevent theft has instead become an easy target.
Reddit user 0xD34D, a man named Clark, described finding discarded packages scattered near local lockers and witnessing an alleged theft in progress.
“Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought one of the reasons for the lockers was to have a safe place for packages to avoid porch pirates,” the man wrote, adding that in his neighborhood, the lockers have been “completely compromised.”
The post included images showing an Amazon locker unit with multiple compartments open, as well as torn packaging left on the ground nearby. The man claimed that by removing narrow vertical panels between compartments, individuals can access internal latches and open multiple lockers without authorization.
“I inspected the lockers to see how they're doing it and it is ridiculously easy,” he wrote.
"I visited other Amazon lockers in the area, looking for those that say they are open [for 24 hours]. Within a two- to three-mile radius, I found four lockers, including the problematic one near me, that had those vertical panels removed, exposing the lockers and the internal wiring," Clark explained in an email to Newsweek.
'I was calling 911'
The account prompted reactions from other commenters who shared their own experiences and concerns.
“I only use lockers inside a store. It helps prevent thieves,” one Reddit user explained.
Another added, “Who needs to pirate a porch when you have everything in one stop?”
Some responses focused on accountability and design flaws.
“Surely Amazon know about the issue as everyone will be reporting missing packages; they need to secure it like a safe for it to be left out in public,” a contributor said.
The original poster also described confronting a suspected thief.
Clark expanded on the incident in an email to Newsweek.
"I was in the park across the street when I noticed an individual on a scooter struggling to ride away from the Safeway because she was juggling several Amazon packages. While she was rearranging the packages I decided to confront her. She called me a 'weirdo' and claimed they were hers; at that point, I called 911.
"While I was on the phone with the 911 operator, she managed to go around the corner and empty a couple of the packages, which she then tossed over a gate leading to a dental office. Officers arrived within five minutes, which is unusual around these parts of Seattle, but by then she had scooted down a side street into the shadows, leaving them with nothing they could do."
Another commenter responded, “You're a good egg for following her and calling 911.”
Package Theft Remains an Issue
Amazon lockers were introduced as a solution to package theft, allowing customers to retrieve deliveries from secure, code-accessed compartments.
Package theft remains a widespread issue in the United States. According to iPostal1, more than half of stolen packages involve Amazon deliveries, making them a frequent target for thieves .
Industry guidance has often pointed to lockers as a safer alternative to home delivery.
Advice from Deep Sentinel notes that using a locker can reduce exposure to theft when customers cannot receive packages in person. Still, the Seattle man's claims suggest that physical vulnerabilities may undermine that protection in some locations.
Theft Costs Billions
The issue comes as package theft continues to cost billions annually.
Data cited by Deep Sentinel shows losses from porch piracy exceeded $8 billion in 2023. While lockers are designed to limit those losses, reports like this indicate that security depends heavily on maintenance and design integrity.
Amazon has not publicly addressed the specific claims made in the Reddit thread. The company typically offers refunds or replacements for stolen items and encourages customers to report suspicious activity.
For the Seattle resident, the experience has already changed their perception: “I don't use the lockers, but damn this is crazy,” they lamented.
Newsweek has reached out to 0xD34D and Amazon for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.