Cargo theft has always been a challenge in the transportation industry, but since 2020, it’s taken on a new form. What was once a predictable issue has become a strategic, sophisticated, and internationally connected threat. During a recent LinkedIn webinar hosted by industry leaders from Travelers, Highway, and the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), experts shared how freight theft has evolved and ideas about what brokers and carriers can do to protect themselves. Falvey uses its claims data and Risk Management team’s input to verify information and customize solutions for each client’s logistics operations.
Before 2020: A Predictable Threat
Before the pandemic, cargo theft followed more familiar patterns. Theft incidents were consistent and generally easier to anticipate. Criminals targeted specific high-value commodities in known hotspots, and stakeholders largely knew who and what to look out for. Loss prevention strategies were straightforward: secure parking, surveillance, and strong communication between brokers, carriers, and shippers went a long way in reducing risk.
Post-2020 The Rise of Strategic and International Theft
The pandemic brought unprecedented disruption to global supply chains and with it, new opportunities for organized theft. As freight demand surged and digital platforms became the norm, criminal networks expanded beyond borders.
From 2020 to 2022, the modes, networks, and tactics behind cargo theft diversified and expanded dramatically. Theft rings became larger and more sophisticated, often operating across multiple countries. Unlike opportunistic thefts that rely on breaking into parked trailers, these crimes happen within the system itself, typically without anyone realizing something is wrong until the shipment never arrives. Starting initially with double brokering and fraudulent pickups, theft organizations engaged in social engineering and email phishing to gain access to carrier data and FMCSA logins. By late 2023 and throughout 2024, theft organizations found they could access shipments from brokers by purchasing legacy carriers and operating as that carrier. Shippers and brokers are totally unaware the formerly trusted team has been completely replaced.
The Cost of a Single Theft
Every theft ripples across the supply chain, damaging customer relationships, and driving up costs to everyone downstream. The fallout often extends far beyond the financial loss itself, impacting reputations, business and manufacturing operations, and distorting supply to the market. As theft becomes more about deception than force, effective prevention now relies on data, vigilance, and enhanced collaboration, rather than just physical security measures.
Protecting Freight in the New Era of Strategic Theft
While theft tactics have evolved, so have prevention strategies. Brokers, carriers, and shippers can strengthen their defenses through a few key steps:
- Verify every carrier: confirm MC numbers, phone numbers, and email domains to match verified records. A single platform or FMCSA check can’t match today’s AI-powered risks, just as general antivirus can’t stop modern cyberattacks.
- Invest in visibility technology to track loads in real-time and flag route deviations. GPS tracking with live security monitoring now costs 75% less than five years ago and is still the most effective way to catch theft as it happens.
- Watch for red flags such as last-minute carrier changes, mismatched contact information, or unusually low rates. Ironically, many trucking veterans sell their companies as low-rate carriers exploit rules, neglect safety, and steal loads under the excuse of “identity theft.”
- Partner with trusted insurers who understand the nuances of modern cargo theft and can help design coverage that fits your risk profile.
Key Takeaways
At Falvey, we continue to see how evolving theft tactics impact every part of the supply chain. Our Transportation & Logistics team works closely with brokers to build comprehensive protection strategies that combine coverage with education and risk management. As theft grows more strategic, collaboration across the industry is key. Together, we can help ensure that security and trust move in the same direction as your freight. Contact us today to learn how we can help protect your client’s freight and keep operations moving forward.
