Cargo Theft Prevention: How Motor Carriers Can Stay One Step Ahead

Cargo theft is no longer just a crime of opportunity. It is organized, tech-enabled, and cost the industry nearly $725 million in 2025.

Criminals are evolving their tactics, moving from smash-and-grab thefts to sophisticated scams like fictitious pickups and identity fraud. These trends have exposed major vulnerabilities across the freight industry, particularly for motor carriers that rely on trust-based systems to move goods efficiently.

This article covers:

• The most common types of cargo theft today and how they have evolved
• How thieves use fraud, identity theft, and insider information to bypass traditional defenses
• Risk control strategies motor carriers can implement to protect their cargo and reputation

How Cargo Theft Has Changed: From Trailer Burglaries to Strategic Theft

Traditional trailer burglaries have not disappeared, but they have been joined by a surge in strategic thefts that look more like fraud than force.

One example is the fictitious pickup, where scammers use fake credentials and forged bills of lading to pose as a legitimate carrier and leave with high-value loads. In 2025, deceptive pickups increased 35% year over year, making them the fastest-growing cargo theft method tracked by Overhaul.

By the numbers, according to Verisk CargoNet’s 2025 analysis:

• 2,646 confirmed cargo thefts in 2025, up 18% from 2024
• Nearly $725 million in estimated losses, up 60%
• $273,990 average loss per theft, up 36%
• California, Texas, and Illinois remain the top hotspots, accounting for nearly 52% of all cargo theft, while theft rose sharply in New Jersey, Indiana, and Pennsylvania

How Fraud, Identity Theft, and Insider Leaks Drive Cargo Theft

Cargo thieves are targeting the digital side of logistics. They impersonate brokers and hijack carrier credentials, and some even set up fake websites to build trust before redirecting freight. Some buy existing carriers just to steal a few loads before disappearing.

There is also growing evidence of inside jobs. Bribed warehouse employees and compromised dispatchers have leaked schedules and load information, making high-value shipments easy targets for organized crime rings.

In one notable case, an Armenian organized crime group allegedly embedded itself inside a large retailer’s transportation network and stole more than $83 million over several years while operating as a trusted carrier. Federal authorities charged the group in May 2025.

Cargo Theft Prevention Strategies for Motor Carriers

Cargo theft prevention is not just the shipper’s responsibility. Motor carriers play a critical role in a secure supply chain. As shippers tighten compliance and security expectations, carriers must align with these protocols to maintain trust and access to high-value freight.

Here are five ways motor carriers can support shipper-driven security practices:

1. Support shipper verification protocols.

Be ready to provide ID, truck and trailer numbers, and verified pickup credentials at the dock. Encourage drivers to help warehouse staff confirm their identity to reduce delays or mistaken denials.

2. Train drivers to recognize red flags.

Educate drivers on fictitious pickup scams and impersonation attempts. For example, if a driver arrives at a facility and someone else claims the load was already picked up, the driver should escalate immediately and avoid confrontation.

3. Confirm routing changes directly with the shipper or broker.

Instruct dispatchers and drivers never to accept last-minute routing changes by email or text alone. Require verbal confirmation with a known contact before acting on updated instructions.

4. Use onboard technology.

Install GPS tracking and geofencing tools that give shippers visibility into transit status. This builds confidence and improves recovery efforts if theft occurs.

5. Foster a security-first culture.

Make sure internal staff understand their role in maintaining shipper compliance, from keeping facilities secure to limiting who can access load information. Empower employees to report suspicious behavior or unusual communications without hesitation.

Build a Cargo Theft Response Plan

Cargo theft can still happen despite strong security and compliance practices. Build a rapid response plan that includes cargo recovery professionals, such as CargoNet. Shippers will feel more secure, and recovered cargo can help limit the impact on your insurance loss ratio.

Strengthen the Weakest Links in Your Cargo Security

Cargo theft is no longer just a warehouse security issue. It is a systemic, digital, and organized threat to the bottom line. For safety directors and risk managers, now is the time to revisit cargo protocols and strengthen the weakest links.

Hylant’s transportation and logistics practice works exclusively within the industry, serving motor carriers, freight brokers, and warehouse operators. To review your cargo security protocols and coverage, connect with a Hylant advisor.

Related Reading: Cyber-Enabled Cargo Theft: Why Carrier and Driver Identity Are Now Part of Cargo Security

The above information does not constitute advice. Always contact your insurance broker or trusted advisor for insurance-related questions.

Authored by

Mike Weber, Transportation Risk Consultant

Mike is a Transportation Risk Consultant in Hylant’s Fort Wayne office having been a former Area Executive with Yellow-Roadway. He holds the Transportation Risk Specialist (TRS) and Accredited Professional in Risk & Insurance (APRI) designations and advises motor carriers, freight brokers, 3PL's, and auto haulers on emerging risks, risk financing and transfer structure, and proactive claims strategy.