According to Verisk CargoNet, cargo theft losses across the United States and Canada were estimated at $725 million in 2025, driven by organized theft rings targeting high-value commodities and increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes. While carriers and brokers continue investing in technology to combat cargo crime, truck drivers remain one of the strongest defenses against theft.

Cargo Theft Has Changed

For years, cargo theft was largely viewed as a crime of opportunity. A truck parked in an isolated lot overnight or a trailer left unattended for too long presented an easy target. That picture has changed.

Today’s cargo thieves often know exactly what they’re looking for. They monitor freight movements, create fraudulent shipping documents, impersonate legitimate carriers, and use stolen business identities to divert shipments. In many cases, the trailer itself is never broken into because criminals have already taken possession of the load before anyone realizes something is wrong.

For drivers, understanding how these operations work is just as important as knowing where to park for the night.

Certain Freight Continues to Attract Criminal Attention

Not every load carries the same level of risk. CargoNet data consistently shows that consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage products, alcoholic beverages, copper, and building materials remain among the most frequently targeted commodities. These products can often be resold quickly, making them attractive to organized theft groups.

Seasonal demand can also influence theft patterns. Retail merchandise becomes more desirable ahead of major shopping holidays, while construction materials and metals often see increased theft when market prices rise.

Drivers hauling high-value freight should expect additional security procedures from both shippers and carriers. Those requirements may seem inconvenient, but they’re designed to reduce opportunities for theft before a shipment reaches the customer.

The First Stop Can Be the Most Vulnerable

Experienced drivers have long understood that the first stop after leaving a shipper deserves extra attention.

Cargo security specialists recommend limiting unnecessary stops during the first 150 to 200 miles whenever practical. Criminals have been known to observe shipping facilities and follow selected loads, waiting until a driver stops for fuel, food, or a break before making a move.

That doesn’t mean skipping required rest breaks or pushing beyond your available hours. It means thinking ahead. Fuel before picking up a high-value load whenever possible, know where you’ll stop if you need a break, and avoid making unplanned stops simply because they’re convenient. Planning is one of the simplest ways to reduce risk.

Parking Decisions Matter

Finding truck parking has never been easy, but where you park can influence more than your night’s sleep.

Well-lit locations with regular commercial traffic generally provide more visibility than isolated industrial areas or vacant lots. Parking where other professional drivers are present can also discourage opportunistic thieves looking for an easy target.

If your company has designated secure parking locations for certain loads, follow those recommendations whenever possible. Those locations are often selected because of previous incidents, available surveillance, or relationships with the property owner.

Small Details Can Protect a Load

Cargo theft investigations often reveal that criminals gathered information from multiple sources before a shipment disappeared.

Drivers should avoid discussing load details where they can easily be overheard and think twice before sharing shipment information online. Even something as simple as posting a photo at a shipping facility may reveal trailer numbers, customer names, or locations that criminals can piece together with other information.

Before leaving a shipper, it’s also worth taking a moment to verify seal numbers, confirm paperwork matches the assigned load, and make sure trailer doors are properly secured. Those checks take very little time but can prevent much larger problems later in the trip.

Technology Is Improving Security, But It Has Limits

GPS tracking, electronic trailer locks, geofencing, and real-time shipment monitoring have made cargo theft more difficult than it was a decade ago. Technology, however, doesn’t replace experience.

Drivers are often the first to notice something unusual, whether it’s a vehicle lingering nearby for several stops, unfamiliar people asking questions about a shipment, or signs that a trailer has been disturbed while parked. Good judgment still plays an important role in protecting freight.

Staying Alert Protects More Than the Load

Cargo theft creates financial losses for shippers, carriers, insurers, and customers, but it also affects drivers. Stolen freight can lead to delayed deliveries, lengthy investigations, damaged customer relationships, and operational disruptions that extend well beyond a single shipment.

Most thefts aren’t the result of one mistake. They’re usually the outcome of criminals finding an opportunity somewhere along the route.

Professional drivers can’t control every risk they encounter, but they can control how they prepare, where they stop, and how aware they remain throughout the trip. Those decisions continue to be some of the industry’s strongest defenses against cargo theft.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: July 6, 2026

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The company said the new feature is now live in Trucker Path Navigation. It pulls CargoNet theft trend data into the app so drivers can see where theft activity is concentrated while planning a run.

What Drivers Can See

The new cargo theft layer includes:

county theft risk ratings marked low, medium, or high
monthly counts of stolen vehicles
the commodity categories most often stolen in an area
common theft types, including cargo-only theft, full truck theft, and trailer theft
filters that let drivers focus on higher-risk areas

That information now appears alongside the rest of the app’s routing tools, including parking availability, fuel prices, and weigh station updates.

Why It Matters

Cargo theft has remained a serious problem across freight, especially in major logistics corridors and busy shipping markets.

Verisk CargoNet reported 767 supply chain crime events across the U.S. and Canada in the first quarter of 2026, with estimated losses of more than $131.5 million. Of those, 596 were confirmed cargo theft incidents.

In the Trucker Path announcement, the companies said California, Texas, and New Jersey accounted for more than half of cargo theft activity in the first quarter of the year. Warehouses, distribution centers, and truck stops were among the locations most often tied to those cases.

For drivers, that matters because those are also the places where loads get parked, staged, fueled, or left overnight.

What It Could Change for Drivers

The feature is not going to stop theft by itself, but it does give drivers another piece of information before stopping in an unfamiliar area.

If a county shows up as high risk, that may affect where a driver parks, how long a loaded trailer sits unattended, or whether it makes sense to keep moving and stop somewhere else. For fleets and owner-operators, it also adds another way to look at route risk before a load reaches a truck stop or warehouse lot.

Chris Oliver, chief marketing officer at Trucker Path, said the idea is to give drivers better awareness when they are moving into areas with higher theft activity. Ryan Shepherd, general manager of Verisk CargoNet, said cargo theft risk is increasingly tied to specific locations and common freight stop points.

For drivers hauling expensive freight or running through lanes where theft has been a problem, that may be one more thing worth checking before shutting down for the night.

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 30, 2026

Source: The Trucker

Image Source: Trucker Path

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Verisk CargoNet recently issued an advisory urging carriers and logistics providers to tighten security and verification procedures during the final stretch of the year, when reduced staffing and longer dwell times can create openings for organized theft.

Based on a five-year review of confirmed cargo theft incidents and attempted fraud, the firm identified December 23 through January 2 as a recurring high-risk window across the supply chain.

Five Years of Data Show a Clear Pattern

Verisk CargoNet’s analysis found that holiday period cargo crime has risen sharply over the last five years.

Reported events climbed from 49 in 2020 to 89 in 2024, representing an increase of roughly 82 percent. Across the five holiday windows reviewed, the firm documented 353 total events. For this analysis, events included cargo theft, tractor and trailer theft, and supply chain fraud.

The data shows that criminal activity is not evenly distributed across the holiday break. Instead, it clusters tightly around specific dates.

When Risk Is Highest

Verisk CargoNet’s timing analysis highlights several key trends carriers should be aware of when planning holiday operations:

• 353 total events occurred across five holiday windows from December 23 through January 2
• About 82 percent growth in reported events from 2020 to 2024
• Roughly 69 percent of incidents occurred between December 23 and December 29
• About 53 percent occurred between December 26 and December 30
• December 23 was the single highest risk day, accounting for 56 events, or about 16 percent of the total
• Activity consistently spikes immediately before and after Christmas

For carriers, these findings reinforce the need for heightened vigilance not just on Christmas Day itself, but throughout the surrounding week when facilities may be closed and freight sits longer than usual.

Geographic Hotspots Remain Consistent

The five-year review also shows that cargo theft during the holiday period remains concentrated in major freight markets.

California recorded the highest number of holiday window events with 84 incidents, followed by Texas with 41, Illinois with 32, and Florida with 32.

At the county level, the highest concentrations were reported in San Bernardino County and Los Angeles County in California, along with Shelby County, Tennessee. These areas continue to align with dense freight corridors, high warehouse activity, and strong secondary resale markets.

What Thieves Target During the Holidays

Cargo theft during the holiday window continues to focus on commodities with strong resale demand and price volatility.

Verisk CargoNet reports that vehicle related freight such as tires, auto parts, and motor oils remains a frequent target. Other commonly stolen commodities include alcoholic beverages, televisions and display equipment, and computers and accessories.

Additional categories seeing repeated targeting include power tools, footwear, and major appliances, particularly when shipments are staged or delayed during facility closures.

Verification Failures Create Opportunity

According to Verisk CargoNet, many holiday period thefts exploit breakdowns in verification and communication rather than physical security alone.

“The holiday period creates conditions criminals exploit – reduced oversight, facility closures, and high-value freight moving on compressed schedules,” said Keith Lewis, vice president of operations at Verisk CargoNet. “Carriers and shippers should verify every pickup through direct communication with known contacts, never relying solely on email, text, or caller ID. A quick call to a verified number can prevent a six- or seven-figure loss.”

For carriers, this reinforces the importance of strict pickup verification protocols, especially when last minute changes occur or unfamiliar contacts are involved.

Risk Reduction Steps for Carriers

Verisk CargoNet recommends that carriers and shippers reinforce layered security measures throughout the holiday period, particularly during peak risk days. Suggested actions include:

• Verifying pickups and appointment changes through known, trusted contacts using call back procedures
• Increasing facility access controls and security coverage during off hours and holiday closures
• Reducing dwell time for loaded trailers and avoiding unsecured parking locations
• Using secure, monitored parking for extended stops and staged equipment
• Deploying shipment monitoring and tracking tools for high value loads where available
• Establishing clear driver check in expectations during closures and extended dwell periods
• Reporting suspicious activity and confirmed incidents promptly to law enforcement and Verisk CargoNet

A Familiar Risk That Requires Extra Attention

While cargo theft is a year-round concern, the data shows that the holiday window presents a predictable spike in activity. For carriers operating through year end, planning ahead for staffing gaps, facility closures, and verification controls can make the difference between a routine delivery and a costly loss.

As freight continues to move through the final days of the year, carriers are being reminded that small process failures during the holidays can carry outsized consequences.

Source: The Trucker

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Jersey City-based freight security company CargoNet released its 2025 Third Quarter Supply Chain Risk Trends Analysis, reviewing cargo theft patterns from July through September. While the total number of thefts fell 10 percent from the previous quarter, the value of the cargo stolen surged dramatically.

Data shows that the average haul value doubled, jumping to $336,787 per incident in Q3 2025, compared to $168,448 during the same period in 2024. CargoNet says this proves that criminals are picking targets carefully rather than just grabbing whatever is convenient.

Much of the increase comes from organized crime rings going after high-value freight such as enterprise computer hardware, cryptocurrency mining equipment, and copper products.

Truckers aren’t just dealing with local threats. Keith Lewis, Vice President of Operations at CargoNet, told Land Line that these criminal networks operate worldwide, with activity traced in over 40 countries.

“We’re not just looking at a threat within our borders; we’re looking at a global threat,” Lewis said.

Thieves are also highly adaptable. Lewis explained that cargo criminals not only target items that are easy to resell, but they also learn how to bypass security measures quickly.

“Every time we come up with a different technique to slow them down, they do an end around on us and come up with a new technique,” he said. “Every time I think I’ve seen it all, I have not seen it all.”

CargoNet’s report highlights that organized crime groups are using social engineering to gather shipment information, which they then exploit for fraudulent pickups and deliveries. The company expects these tactics to increase through the end of 2025.

“As the industry enters the final quarter of 2025, CargoNet anticipates that organized crime groups will continue refining their tactics to stay ahead of security measures and evade detection,” the report said. “The trajectory observed throughout Q3 suggests that criminal networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their approach, with a particular focus on targeted information harvesting.”

For small trucking businesses, the risk is even higher. Double brokering and identity theft are especially dangerous for owner operators. In October, OOIDA told the U.S. Department of Transportation that these schemes represent the most significant theft risk for small carriers.

“As shippers have become less likely to work directly with small carriers, reliance on load boards has increased dramatically over the years among owner operators,” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said. “Unfortunately, these platforms have simultaneously become fertile ground for nefarious actors.”

OOIDA suggested several ways to curb cargo theft, including establishing a federal repository for theft and fraud reports to improve coordination among law enforcement and the trucking industry. Other recommendations include more secure truck parking and stricter screening for carriers entering the industry.

For truck drivers, staying vigilant on load boards, double-checking pickup and delivery instructions, and securing cargo carefully are critical steps to protect freight and livelihood. With thieves getting more strategic, preparedness is now as important as driving skill.

Source: Land Line Media

The post Cargo Theft Tactics Evolve as Average Haul Value Doubles appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

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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As freight sits unattended, especially at big box store lots, warehouses, or drop yards, organized theft rings may target parked trailers for high-value goods.

“Thieves know that cargo will be left unattended for extended durations during this time and will use the opportunity to obtain targeted and high-value merchandise,” Overhaul warned. “Specifically, receiving facilities for big box stores will see trailers staged outside of the facility targeted for pilferage or straight theft.”

Why Memorial Day Weekend Poses a Higher Risk

Holiday weekends consistently show a rise in freight-related crime. Fewer personnel, slower communication between shippers and receivers, and longer idle periods mean more time and space for theft to go undetected. Distribution centers, in particular, are more vulnerable due to reduced staffing and scaled-back operations.

Criminals may also attempt “strategic theft”— posing as legitimate carriers or using fake paperwork to misdirect loads. These schemes are harder to spot when businesses aren’t fully staffed or when lines of communication are disrupted over the holiday.

How Drivers Can Protect Freight This Weekend

If you’re hauling a load this Memorial Day, take extra steps to secure your cargo:

• Confirm shipper and receiver hours ahead of time to avoid unnecessary layovers.
• Only park in well-lit, secure areas — preferably where cameras or on-site security are present.
• Back trailer doors against a solid object like a wall or dock to reduce tampering risks.
• Avoid unnecessary stops and never leave your truck unattended in isolated areas.
• Stay in communication with dispatch and customers and keep freight visibility tools active when possible.

Holiday weekends can be high-risk — but with the right precautions, they don’t have to become high-loss. Drivers who stay alert, plan ahead, and stick to secure locations are better positioned to protect their loads and keep their routes running smoothly.

Source: Overdrive

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