Several members of Congress, including Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana and Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois, are urging the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Inspector General to set up a dedicated task force to address the rising number of supply chain thefts. These thefts can have serious consequences for businesses and consumers alike, making it vital that immediate action is taken to combat this growing problem.
“We write to share concerns regarding an area of increasing supply chain fraud and theft,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “Specifically, stolen truck loads and funding fraud schemes, when truckers drop off their loads but do not get paid, are disrupting freight hauling by truck and brokering.”
Every year, approximately 3,500 fraudulent schemes are carried out, according to legislators.
“Industry stakeholders attest that the systemic problems of supply chain fraud involving organized crime and broker-related fraud include such criminal violations as theft of cargo, double brokerage and misappropriation of funds,” the lawmakers wrote.
Furthermore, the detrimental impacts of the crime extend past just the trucking sector.
“The harm from such crimes also falls upon shippers, financial services, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers,” the lawmakers wrote. “The harmful economic ripples cause the cost of doing business to increase, as well as the price retailers, and consumers pay for replacement products and other uncompensated costs.”
To stay ahead of the curve with potential solutions to this problem, Congress has proposed taking a proactive approach by forming a task force dedicated to the issue.
“We urge the Office of Inspector General to consider creating a special unit within the office, in consultation with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Department of Justice, to investigate, refer and prosecute cases of transportation fraud in a systematic, concerted manner.”
Lawmakers have praised FMCSA’s latest initiatives to tackle moving fraud. The establishment of a specialized unit is seen as in line with the Office of Inspector General’s jurisdiction. This was emphasized in the letter which was signed by several legislators, including Braun and Bost, as well as JD Vance, Rick Scott, John Thune, Deb Fischer, Lance Gooden, and Chuck Edwards.
Source: Land Line
