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

The post FBI Warns Carriers About Rising Cyber-Enabled Cargo Theft Schemes appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

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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