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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Cargo Theft Losses Continue to Climb

The numbers paint a troubling picture. According to CargoNet, a New Jersey-based logistics security firm, theft-related losses jumped 13% in the second quarter of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. In just three months, the losses were valued at more than $61 million.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau has also raised concerns. The group is projecting a 22% year-over-year rise in losses this year, fueled in part by increasingly sophisticated theft methods and cyber-enabled attacks targeting the supply chain.

DOT Seeks Feedback from the Industry

To address the problem, the DOT issued a request for information on September 19. The department is inviting feedback from truckers, carriers, law enforcement, federal partners, and others who play a role in protecting freight.

“These crimes involve opportunistic ‘straight thefts’ of trailers, containers, and loads at truck stops or multimodal distribution hubs and highly coordinated operations conducted by organized criminal networks,” the DOT explained. “Both categories create significant economic losses, disrupt supply chains, and in some cases fund broader illicit activities such as narcotics trafficking, counterfeiting, and human smuggling.”

The department is asking for insight on:

• Which commodities are most at risk?
• The types of theft scenarios drivers and carriers are seeing most often.
• The technologies and practices already being used to reduce exposure.

Possible Steps Forward

Officials say the responses will help shape next steps. The DOT noted that public input could guide efforts to:

• Work with law enforcement to close regulatory gaps that allow unsafe carriers to re-enter under new names.
• Strengthen how cargo theft risks are assessed by using shared data from federal, state, and industry partners.
• Expand coordination with Homeland Security, FBI, Customs and Border Protection, and local agencies.
• Build new initiatives with industry stakeholders to reduce losses and improve supply chain security.

How to Get Involved

The public comment period is open for 30 days. Drivers, carriers, and other stakeholders can submit feedback online at Regulations.gov by referencing Docket No. DOT–OST–2025–1326. All comments must be submitted by October 20, 2025.

Source: Land Line Media

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Addressing a Critical Concern

“The industry saw unprecedented levels of cargo theft last year, up 27% from the previous year and a 1,500% increase since 2001,” said Shannon Newton, president of ATA. “These laws demonstrate that Arkansas lawmakers understand the economic threat organized retail crime and cargo theft pose to our industry and all consumers.”

The ATA highlights how the collaboration between policymakers, industry leaders, and officials like Attorney General Griffin was instrumental in the success of this legislative package, which seeks to deter cargo theft and strengthen supply chain security.

A Priority for the Trucking Sector

Sponsored by Sen. Ben Gilmore (R-Crossett) and Rep. Jeremiah Moore (R-Clarendon), and strongly supported by the Arkansas Attorney General’s office, the organized retail crime initiative targets a pressing issue for the trucking industry. The legislation received broad bipartisan backing as it advanced through the legislature.

“By recognizing that organized crime operates throughout the supply chain, from retail stores to transportation networks, this collaboration has produced meaningful legislation that will better protect Arkansas businesses and consumers,” Newton said. “We remain committed to working with our partners to develop practical solutions to the challenges facing our industry.”

Key Features of the Organized Retail Crime Policy

• A structured plan addressing organized retail theft networks (Act 321).

• Up to 10 additional years of penalties for organized cargo theft (Act 322).

• Prohibition of earned release credits for the enhanced portion of sentences related to cargo theft (Act 322).

• Coverage of all cargo in transit, including trucks, railroads, and intermodal containers (Act 322).

• Criminal penalties for fraudulent gift card schemes based on redemption value (SB302).

• Immediate enforcement supported by an emergency declaration.

A Strong Warning Against Cargo Theft

“This comprehensive legislation sends a clear message that organized retail crime and cargo theft will not be tolerated in Arkansas and will be met with serious consequences,” Newton emphasized.

With the passage of these laws, Arkansas positions itself as a leader in supply chain security, reinforcing the importance of collaboration to combat organized crime and protect both businesses and consumers.

Source: The Trucker

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Austin, Texas-based supply chain risk management company Overhaul warns that the period between Monday, Dec. 23, and Wednesday, Jan. 2, presents heightened risks for cargo theft. Shippers are urged to confirm the holiday schedules of all receiving facilities before dispatching deliveries. During this period, extended downtime can lead to valuable shipments being left unattended, offering plenty of opportunities for criminals. High-value products staged outside large retailers’ facilities are particularly at risk, with thieves targeting trailers for pilfering or outright theft.

Trends in Cargo Theft for 2024

Overhaul highlights a growing number of strategic thefts nationwide this year, alongside an increase in medium-to-large-scale thefts involving rail shipments. Cybercrime and phishing attempts are also on the rise as stricter security protocols force criminals to find more sophisticated ways to bypass defenses. The lengthy holiday break allows thieves more time to act before their crimes are detected.

Distribution centers and warehouses face heightened risks during this season. Many sites operate with minimal staffing during extended holiday hours, significantly reducing security and oversight. This creates a window for thieves to execute thefts with less chance of immediate discovery.

Target Goods and Risk Reduction Tips

Shippers handling high-risk products, including consumer electronics, luxury apparel, alcohol, tires, and expensive food items, need to exercise extra caution in the weeks ahead. Enhanced security measures, proper risk assessments, and advanced planning are critical to prevent theft during these vulnerable times.

Overhaul suggests several proactive measures to reduce risks:

• Carefully vet brokers, carriers, and drivers involved in each shipment.
• Document all shipment details thoroughly.
• Confirm receiving facilities’ holiday operating hours and reschedule shipments if necessary to avoid staging outside premises.

Proper preparation and due diligence can go a long way in ensuring the safe delivery of valuable goods during the holidays. By tightening security and adjusting operations, shippers can mitigate risk and prevent unnecessary loss throughout this high-crime period.

Source: Truckers News

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