Rising Cargo Theft in Trucking: How the Industry Can Fight Back
Cargo theft has become a silent menace to the trucking and logistics industry in the US. From hijacked trailers to high-tech conspiracy crimes, freight crime has exploded across the nation – and it’s not just big carriers at risk. Owner-operators, small fleets and independent dispatchers are increasingly under attack.
The amount of financial losses is staggering. According to recent industry data, there was a more than 57% increase in cargo theft incidents year on year during 2024, and the average value of stolen shipment was upwards of 250K. High-demand products such as electronics, household goods and food are particularly popular among thieves.
For the few trucking companies, every time a load is stolen means more than just a load that is not being transported – it means loss of schedules, loss of good customer relationships, and higher insurance rates.
At Dexter Dispatch Services, we support truckers and small fleets to keep them informed, protected and keeping business moving in the mere face of such challenges. Let’s take a look at breaking down what’s going on, what needs to be changes and how you can take action changes today.
The Escalating Cargo Theft Crisis
Cargo theft isn’t new – but it’s changing faster than ever. Thieves are becoming more strategic and combining elements from the physical, identity, and digital realms to steal freight before it’s even reaching its destination.
The reasons for the surge are:
Economic Pressures
Inflation, rising costs of fuel and shrinking profit margins are forcing both legitimate and illegitimate players to seek quick gains. Criminal groups regard freight theft as low-risk high-reward crime – particularly in states with light penalties.
Organized Crime Rings
Many cargo thefts nowadays are not committed by solitary thieves, but by organized networks. These groups scout the yards of trucks, steal trailers, or falsely act as legitimate carriers to steal freight with falsified paperwork.
Digital Load Scams
While this technology has been used to transform the freight industry we know it, it’s also helped make stealing commonplace.
Scammers are now using fake load boards, cloned websites of brokers, and stolen MC numbers for intercepting or diverting shipments. Once the load is picked up, the driver and freight disappear.
Lack of Security Awareness
Many small carriers and owner-operators put a lot of emphasis on the volume of loads and negotiating rates, but tend to neglect the details of freight security procedures, leaving loose ends in paperwork, verification, and even in route planning.
Regional Hotspots
Cargo theft events are concentrated heavily in logistics centers such as:
- United States (Against Los Angeles and Long Beach)
- Texas (Dallas – Fort Worth and Houston)
- Florida (Miami & Tampa)
- Illinois (Chicago area)
These states experience the largest volume of freight – and therefore, the largest theft activity.
How Cargo Theft Happens: The Common Methods
The following common theft methods should always be taken into consideration to prevent them:
- Strategic Theft (Identity Fraud): Thieves will pretend to be legitimate carriers/brokers in order to ‘legally’ pick up freight under forged documents.
- Straight Theft: Straight stealing of a trailer or truck with physical theft most often from parking lots or rest stops.
- Fictitious Pickup: A carrier is impersonated by a scammer who picks up a shipment by using fraudulent paperwork.
- Cyber Theft: Hacking of email or stolen login information and use of those hacked email addresses or login credentials to divert money or loads.
- Terminal or Warehouse Burglaries: Criminals penetrate the distribution centers or truck yards in order to steal cargo directly.
Industries Most Affected
Cargo thieves tend to target loads that are easy to sell, hard to trace, and high in demand, including:
- Electronics (laptops, phones, gaming devices)
- Food & beverages (alcohol, meat, energy drinks)
- Home improvement goods
- Clothing and footwear
- Pharmaceuticals
According to CargoNet’s 2025 report, the average stolen load value now exceeds $250,000, with total annual losses surpassing $1 billion.
What Needs to Happen: A Roadmap for Action
Cargo theft can’t be the bystander issue for the trucking industry. It requires a joint action, both by carriers, shippers, brokers, and dispatchers.
Here is what this industry needs to focus on:
More effective verification systems.
Identity theft is a major facilitator of duly loaded cargo being stolen. Every company which is dealing with freight transportation must be using multi-layer verification:
- Remember to TTWWU verification sites of DOT and MC numbers on the official site of FMCSA.
- Contact the broker through official contact details, and not those that are provided in the suspicious email
- Need carried insurance agents demonstrate actual insurance without the need for forwarding copies.
Already, dispatchers like Dexter Dispatch Services have these verification steps automatically before assigning any load to the drivers.
Cooperation Between Dispatchers and Carriers
A dispatcher is more than a load finder – he or she is your logistics watchdog.
By providing real-time data sharing between dispatchers, drivers, and owners of fleets, suspicious loads or irregular patterns may be identified in a short time.
At Dexter Dispatch Services we use live communication systems, as well as broker databases, to ensure that every booking is safe and looked-up on before pickup.
Technology-Driven Tracking
Some of the advanced features in GPS and ELD systems go beyond the number many miles driven. Integrated geofencing and load monitoring solution capable of sending immediate alerts when a truck is off its route or simply stops due to unexpected issues.
Fleet managers also should invest in trailer locks, electronic seals and remote immobilizers.
Standardised Security Training
Many thefts happen when drivers are driving along and are the first defense against theft.
Regular security awareness programs that should contain the following:
- How to recognise Suspicious activity at rest stops
- How to check dispatch orders and brokered information
- safe car parking and drive methods.
- Communication protocols in case of Emergency
Some things as simple as parking nose-to-nose with another truck or avoiding isolated rest stops at night could cut down on the likelihood of theft by a large margin.
Legislative and Law Enforcement Assistance
Cargo theft should be considered a serious felony and not as a property crime.
Industry groups, like TIA, ATA, and CargoNet, are lobbying for legislation with enhanced laws, data sharing, and easier investigations.
Carriers and dispatch services can play a role, by reporting all thefts and putting data into national databases.
Increased Accountability for Brokers and Shippers
Shippers and brokers should use stringent vetting policies when hiring carriers. This includes checking carrier safety rating, insurance limits and cargo security programs.
Dispatchers can play a key role here by just connecting the drivers to legitimate and verified brokers, thereby limiting exposure to fraud at all levels.
How Can You Act Now?
As a truck driver, fleet owner or dispatcher, there are immediate actions you can take in order to protect your business:
Verify Every Load
A load shall never be accepted if complete verification does not exist. Check the broker’s identity, phone number and FMCSA information prior to moving.
Have Professional Dispatch Services
Work with a reputable broker network like Dexter Dispatch Services that screens brokers, has brokers complete paperwork and track routes.
Every shipment is made safe, verified, and profitable – safeguarding your money and your reputation.
Secure Your Equipment
Invest in steering device locks, GPS-trackers and cargo seals. Thieves seek easy prey – make your truck a hard one.
Plan Safe Parking
Do not park loaded trailers in unguarded lots and isolated truck stops. When possible, park in heavily lit monitored places.
Protect Digital Accounts
Use secure passwords, use two-factor authentication and avoid clicking on known unknown emails. Now, cybersecurity is as important as physical security.
Build Trusted Partnerships
Cooperation with certified brokers and dispatchers establishes a trusted industry relationship in part of the transportation network.
Dexter Dispatch Services have been in long-term relationships with legitimate brokers, which ensures that all of the loads you carry are legitimate, documented and secure.
Conclusion
Cargo theft isn’t just a crime – it’s a growing problem that is threatening the stability of the trucking industry. As thieves become more strategic, smarter systems, tighter security and enhanced collaboration is needed from the industry’s side.
For these owners and operators and small fleets, the savviest thing they can do is partner with safe and verified suppliers.
At Dexter Dispatch Services, we make it our mission to protect your loads, your routes and your business. Our team makes sure that every broker is vetted, every rate is fair and every shipment is real. Because your trust and time are important to us and we are here to keep both of them safe.