The NMFTA recently launched its Threat Report Portal, a tool that allows carriers, brokers, shippers, and third-party logistics providers to anonymously report cyber incidents and cargo-related crimes. Companies that join NMFTA’s free Threat Intelligence Network can submit reports, review anonymous reports from other members, and receive alerts about emerging threats.

The goal is to help transportation companies identify risks sooner and learn from incidents affecting other organizations before those same tactics spread more widely throughout the industry.

Industry Faces Growing Cyber and Cargo Security Challenges

Cargo theft and freight fraud have become growing concerns across trucking and logistics. In addition to traditional cargo theft, companies are increasingly dealing with schemes that involve technology, identity theft, and fraudulent load activity.

The new portal accepts reports involving:

• Cargo theft
• Fictitious pickups
• Load redirection schemes
• Freight fraud
• Ransomware attacks
• Network intrusions
• Identity-based attacks
• Other transportation-related cyber threats

By collecting reports from across the industry, NMFTA hopes to create a broader view of the risks transportation companies are currently facing.

Anonymous Reporting Designed to Encourage Participation

One challenge with threat reporting is that some companies may hesitate to publicly discuss cyber incidents or fraud events. The Threat Report Portal uses anonymous reporting to encourage participation while still allowing members to benefit from information shared by others.

According to NMFTA Chief Operations and Technical Officer Joe Ohr, no single organization has complete visibility into every threat affecting the transportation industry.

“Threat actors are constantly adapting their tactics, and no single organization has visibility into every threat facing the industry,” Ohr said. “When organizations share what they’re experiencing, the entire industry benefits. By combining real-time industry reporting with NMFTA’s threat analysis, the portal helps organizations stay informed, communicate emerging risks, and take proactive steps to protect their operations.”

Reports Can Trigger Rapid Industry Notifications

The system is designed to provide near-immediate notifications to network members when new incidents are reported.

According to Ohr, these alerts can help organizations identify emerging risks and take preventive action based on events occurring elsewhere in the industry.

Rather than waiting for broader reports or public announcements, participating organizations can receive information shortly after incidents are submitted through the network.

For trucking companies, faster access to threat information may help reduce exposure to developing fraud schemes and cyber risks.

Information Will Support Future Fraud Prevention Resources

NMFTA plans to use information gathered through the portal to strengthen educational resources and fraud prevention efforts.

According to Ohr, the organization analyzes reported incidents to identify trends, create best practices, and develop guidance that can help transportation companies improve their defenses.

Many of those resources will be made available through NMFTA’s Freight Fraud Prevention Hub, which provides access to educational materials, verification standards, and fraud prevention information for transportation and logistics professionals.

Insights gathered through the reporting network will also be discussed during NMFTA’s upcoming Cybersecurity Conference.

Cargo Theft Continues to Draw Industry Attention

The launch comes as cargo theft and freight fraud continue to receive attention throughout the transportation industry.

Research from the American Transportation Research Institute estimates that cargo theft costs the trucking industry more than $18 million per day.

The new reporting platform was introduced shortly after a coalition of nearly 200 businesses and trade organizations sent a letter to Senate leadership supporting legislation intended to address freight fraud and cargo theft.

As cybercrime and cargo theft tactics continue to evolve, industry organizations are increasingly focusing on information sharing as one way to help transportation companies identify and respond to threats more quickly.

What This Means for Trucking Companies

Fraud schemes, cyberattacks, and cargo theft incidents continue to affect carriers of all sizes.

The Threat Report Portal gives transportation companies a new way to share information about incidents, receive alerts about emerging threats, and learn from activity affecting other organizations within the industry.

As participation grows, NMFTA believes the network can help create a clearer picture of the threats facing trucking and logistics companies while supporting broader fraud prevention efforts.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: June 10, 2026

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation and its Internet Crime Complaint Center recently issued a public warning outlining how these cyber-enabled cargo theft operations are working and why losses are climbing across the trucking industry.

According to the FBI, estimated cargo theft losses across the United States and Canada reached nearly $725 million in 2025, representing a 60 percent increase from the previous year. Confirmed cargo theft incidents also increased 18 percent, while the average loss per theft climbed to $273,990 due to more selective targeting of high-value freight.

How Criminals Are Getting Access to Carrier and Broker Systems

Federal investigators say many of these theft operations begin with phishing attacks aimed at brokers and carriers.

Cybercriminals send spoofed emails, fake links, or fraudulent carrier broker agreements designed to look legitimate. Once someone clicks the link or downloads the file, attackers can gain remote access to company systems without being detected immediately.

The FBI said threat actors have increasingly used compromised accounts to impersonate legitimate brokers and carriers on load boards. Fraudulent loads are then posted online to lure legitimate companies into communicating with the attackers.

In some cases, criminals also alter carrier contact information and insurance details connected to FMCSA records in order to make the operation appear legitimate to brokers and shippers.

Why Drivers and Carriers Often Do Not Realize a Load Was Hijacked

One reason these theft schemes have become harder to detect is that portions of the process can appear legitimate at first.

According to the FBI, threat actors sometimes double-broker loads to partially unwitting drivers after accepting shipments while posing as compromised carriers. Manipulated bills of lading and altered delivery information are then used to redirect freight away from the intended destination.

The agency said some compromised carriers do not realize their accounts were being used fraudulently until brokers begin calling about missing freight booked under their authority.

Federal investigators also warned that stolen freight is frequently cross-docked or transloaded to other drivers before being resold. In some cases, criminals reconnect with brokers afterward and demand ransom payments for load information or cargo location details.

Warning Signs Trucking Companies Should Watch Closely

The FBI outlined several indicators that may point to a cyber-enabled cargo theft operation.

Some of the most common include:

• shipment activity tied to a company that was never authorized
• spoofed email addresses using free providers instead of company domains
• requests to download forms or agreements from shortened links
• messages claiming negative service reviews that require clicking a link to resolve the issue
• unauthorized email forwarding rules or mailbox changes
• domains with slight spelling changes or altered extensions designed to imitate legitimate companies

Investigators also said criminals frequently rely on temporary VOIP phone numbers or applications connected to overseas numbers while communicating with brokers and carriers.

Steps Carriers Can Take to Reduce Risk

The FBI is urging brokers, carriers, and transportation companies to independently verify shipment requests and pickup details before releasing freight.

The agency also recommended:

• using multi-channel verification for transactions
• confirming unexpected communications through secondary authentication methods
• documenting driver and vehicle information thoroughly during pickups
• maintaining records that include licenses, license plates, DOT numbers, truck numbers, and communication details

According to federal investigators, maintaining detailed documentation can help disrupt ongoing theft schemes and support investigations if freight is stolen.

Companies that believe they were targeted are encouraged to file reports with local law enforcement and submit complaints through the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov or through a local FBI field office.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: May 11, 2026

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CargoNet’s latest numbers paint the picture: freight theft went up 27% in 2024 compared to 2023. The average load stolen was worth more than $200,000. Since 2021, strategic theft, where scammers pose as legitimate carriers or brokers to get access to freight, has jumped a staggering 1,500%.

Some of the biggest fraud tactics happening right now include:
• Identity theft: Scammers pretending to be known carriers or brokers
• Double brokering: Loads handed off illegally without the shipper knowing
• Phishing and smishing: Fake emails and texts to steal credentials
• Data spoofing: Faking driver info, location tracking, or safety scores with VOIP phone numbers and bogus accounts
• False documentation: Altered insurance and equipment paperwork

The problem is made worse by tight schedules, pressure to move freight quickly, and scattered vetting systems. By the time a missing load is noticed, it is often too late. The American Trucking Associations estimates freight crime is costing the industry up to $35 billion every year, while also driving up insurance rates and consumer prices.

FMCSA Steps In With New Anti-Fraud Measures

With scams growing in number and complexity, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has rolled out some of its strongest measures to date. In April 2025, the agency began updating the Unified Registration System (URS) to better verify who is actually applying for authority.

As part of the switch to the new MOTUS registration platform, FMCSA now requires new commercial driver applicants to:
• Match their ID with a facial scan
• List a real, physical business address (no PO boxes or store-based mailboxes)

Existing carriers will be added in the next phase. These steps bring a new level of traceability to the USDOT application process and make it harder for fraudsters to hide behind fake credentials.

What Fleets and Drivers Can Do to Protect Their Loads

FMCSA enforcement alone is not enough. Carriers, dispatchers, brokers, and drivers all play a role. Here are practical ways transportation teams can push back against fraud:

• Strengthen onboarding checks: Use tools that match FMCSA data with VIN verification, insurance proof, geo tracking history, and identity validation before a truck ever gets the load.
  • Score carriers for risk before tendering a load: Assign fraud or performance scores to carriers so high-risk operators are flagged before booking.
  • Train teams to spot red flags: Dispatchers and reps should be on alert for things like sudden profile edits, mismatched identities, or VOIP phone numbers tied to multiple driver accounts.
  • Use automation for alerts and response: Trigger real-time warnings for route changes, long tracking gaps, or sudden shifts in contact info.
  • Work with FMCSA reporting tools: Verify credentials and report scams through updated FMCSA portals. The more data shared, the harder it is for scammers to operate.

Stopping Theft Takes Teamwork

FMCSA’s push for multi-factor authentication, improved registration systems, and better verification is a big step toward cleaning up the system. But cybersecurity and fraud prevention do not stop there.

Shippers, brokers, and carriers must stay aligned. That means:

• Verifying brokers and loads before pickup
  • Using GPS tracking in real time
  • Training drivers to walk away from suspicious instructions or fake pickup attempts
  • Choosing partners who take cybersecurity seriously

With stronger systems and better collaboration, the industry can reduce theft, protect profit margins, and keep freight moving safely.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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On Thursday, May 23, OOIDA emailed its roughly 150,000 members, directly urging them to back HR8505.

Named the Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act, this bill also offers significant protections for truck drivers.

Introduced on Wednesday, May 22, by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., and Rep. Mike Ezell, R-Miss., HR8505 seeks to restore and solidify the FMCSA’s authority to impose civil penalties on fraudulent individuals. It also mandates that brokers, freight forwarders, and carriers provide a valid business address to FMCSA before obtaining operating authority.

“Small-business truckers are victimized through unpaid claims, unpaid loads, double-brokered loads or load-phishing schemes on a daily basis,” OOIDA wrote. “Yet, current DOT practices restrict fraud enforcement, enable bad actors to operate with impunity and force out drivers who want to build sustainable trucking careers.”

OOIDA is highly encouraging its members to contact their lawmakers to support HR8505, as it could result in major progress in fighting fraud within the industry. Freight fraud is a significant issue in the trucking industry, costing over $800 million annually. Motor carriers suffer from unpaid claims, unpaid loads, double brokering, and load-phishing schemes.

“Freight fraud committed by criminals and scam artists has been devastating to many small-business truckers simply trying to make a living in a tough freight market,” said Todd Spencer, OOIDA president. “OOIDA and the 150,000 small-business truckers we represent applaud Del. Holmes Norton and Rep. Ezell for their bipartisan leadership to provide FMCSA better tools to root out fraudulent actors, which are also harmful to consumers and highway safety. Because of the broad industry support for these commonsense reforms, we hope this bipartisan legislation will move through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee without delay.”

Contacting lawmakers is easy on FightingForTruckers.com, where truckers can locate their representatives by entering their zip code and sending a message of support in minutes.

In addition to OOIDA, the bill is endorsed by the Transportation Intermediaries Association, American Trucking Associations’ Moving and Storage Conference, National Association of Small Trucking Companies, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Institute for Safer Trucking, and Road Safe America.

Source: Land Line

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By leveraging geofencing and photo verification capabilities, QuikSkope empowers shippers and brokers to confirm the physical presence of a driver associated with the hired carrier at the pickup location before the release of a pickup number.

In the event of fraud detection or failed verification, QuikSkope withholds the pickup number release and promptly notifies customers via email. Customers can then review the provided photo and take action by manually approving the pickup number release or contacting the carrier to address identity verification failure. Incidents involving bad actors are instantly reported and documented in real-time, with QuikSkope sharing its findings with those actively pursuing criminals and con artists.

“We’ve all experienced first-hand the devastating financial results of freight fraud and the snowball effect it can have on relationships between carriers and brokers,” said Michael Fullam, QuikSkope’s founder. “Our goal with QuikSkope was to make it as simple as possible for drivers to navigate the verification process and for brokers and shippers to respond. Clicking a text message link and uploading a quick photo encourages compliance by eliminating the need to download and employ yet another application, and ultimately secures the full chain of custody.”

While existing supply chain verification tools predominantly focus on vetting carriers before hiring to ensure accurate identities and proper operating authority, QuikSkope introduces an additional layer of security at the individual load level.

Its primary objective is not to replace the existing vetting process but to complement it, ensuring that the selected carrier and driver are indeed the ones executing the load. This approach significantly reduces the risk of double brokering, according to the company.

QuikSkope provides deployment flexibility, allowing users to implement it on a per-load basis or opt for a subscription plan. With its advanced features, QuikSkope aims to enhance the overall security and reliability of supply chain operations for all stakeholders involved.

Source: Overdrive

The post Freight Fraud Prevention Tool Hits Market appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

TriumphPay, a carrier-payments platform, estimates that double brokers are receiving between $500 million to $700 million annually in fraudulent freight payments from shippers and brokers.

“We consider this really a threat to the way of doing business,” said Anne Reinke, chief executive of the Transportation Intermediaries Association, an Alexandria, Va.-based trade group representing freight brokers. “How can a shipper trust either a carrier or a broker if they’re not sure their shipment is going to get to where it’s going to go?”

Freight brokers connect truckers with loads that need to be transported. However, the industry is facing a concerning problem known as double-brokering. This involves individuals using fake identities and posing as legitimate truckers to bid on loads, causing the original shipper to pay the wrong person. The load is then reposted, leaving a legitimate company to handle the shipment without realizing the funds have been diverted.

This leaves smaller carriers and brokers in disarray, as they lack the financial flexibility to handle the loss of shipment payments. With costs increasing due to rising interest rates and a decrease in freight demand, the impact on these businesses can be as much as $7,000, according to Jeff Hopper, the Chief Marketing Officer of DAT Solutions LLC, whose company specializes in matching U.S. shipments and trucks in the spot market.

“It’s a very difficult environment, and so they’re on the hairy edge of profitability anyway,” Mr. Hopper said. “When they get a hit like this, it can be the determinant of, ‘Do I stay in business or not?’”

Truckstop.com’s freight marketplace has seen a surge in fraud complaints, with a 400% increase in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the previous year. This marks the highest level of reported fraud since 2004. The rise in digital transactions has left businesses more vulnerable to double-brokering and other fraudulent activities. Executives attribute the increase in fraud to a struggling trucking market, which has made it easier for scammers to target unsuspecting clients.

“The thieves tend to come after the marketplace when the rates go down, when the rates are difficult in the market, because people don’t do their normal vetting of information,” said Brent Hutto, Truckstop.com’s chief relationship officer.

While double brokering is illegal, enforcement is lacking and it could cost you big bucks. A recent case involving Tennessee-based brokerage Direct Expedite LLC resulted in a $5,000 loss due to a fraudulent carrier relisting their load. Experts say the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has gaps in its ability to penalize unauthorized brokering, leaving brokers vulnerable. To protect yourself, always check licensing status and be vigilant.

“First of all, it takes a lot of time away from our people that they’re looking for bad guys all the time. The second thing is that it’s a financial burden,” Mr. Prax said. “That’s what really drove me to become on a crusade now to get rid of these guys.”

Source: The Wall Street Journal

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