Cargo theft is shifting, and truckers need to be sharper than ever. According to the latest CargoNet report, thieves aren’t just stealing more; they are getting smarter about what they take.
Jersey City-based freight security company CargoNet released its 2025 Third Quarter Supply Chain Risk Trends Analysis, reviewing cargo theft patterns from July through September. While the total number of thefts fell 10 percent from the previous quarter, the value of the cargo stolen surged dramatically.
Data shows that the average haul value doubled, jumping to $336,787 per incident in Q3 2025, compared to $168,448 during the same period in 2024. CargoNet says this proves that criminals are picking targets carefully rather than just grabbing whatever is convenient.
Much of the increase comes from organized crime rings going after high-value freight such as enterprise computer hardware, cryptocurrency mining equipment, and copper products.
Truckers aren’t just dealing with local threats. Keith Lewis, Vice President of Operations at CargoNet, told Land Line that these criminal networks operate worldwide, with activity traced in over 40 countries.
“We’re not just looking at a threat within our borders; we’re looking at a global threat,” Lewis said.
Thieves are also highly adaptable. Lewis explained that cargo criminals not only target items that are easy to resell, but they also learn how to bypass security measures quickly.
“Every time we come up with a different technique to slow them down, they do an end around on us and come up with a new technique,” he said. “Every time I think I’ve seen it all, I have not seen it all.”
CargoNet’s report highlights that organized crime groups are using social engineering to gather shipment information, which they then exploit for fraudulent pickups and deliveries. The company expects these tactics to increase through the end of 2025.
“As the industry enters the final quarter of 2025, CargoNet anticipates that organized crime groups will continue refining their tactics to stay ahead of security measures and evade detection,” the report said. “The trajectory observed throughout Q3 suggests that criminal networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their approach, with a particular focus on targeted information harvesting.”
For small trucking businesses, the risk is even higher. Double brokering and identity theft are especially dangerous for owner operators. In October, OOIDA told the U.S. Department of Transportation that these schemes represent the most significant theft risk for small carriers.
“As shippers have become less likely to work directly with small carriers, reliance on load boards has increased dramatically over the years among owner operators,” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said. “Unfortunately, these platforms have simultaneously become fertile ground for nefarious actors.”
OOIDA suggested several ways to curb cargo theft, including establishing a federal repository for theft and fraud reports to improve coordination among law enforcement and the trucking industry. Other recommendations include more secure truck parking and stricter screening for carriers entering the industry.
For truck drivers, staying vigilant on load boards, double-checking pickup and delivery instructions, and securing cargo carefully are critical steps to protect freight and livelihood. With thieves getting more strategic, preparedness is now as important as driving skill.
Source: Land Line Media
