Cargo theft has reached record levels across North America. What used to be isolated incidents has now become an organized, data-driven criminal enterprise targeting the entire freight industry.

In 2025, shippers are facing an unprecedented level of risk as criminals become more strategic, more digital, and more coordinated. Understanding what is happening in the market is the first step to protecting your supply chain.

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The State of Cargo Theft in 2025

According to Overhaul’s Q1 2025 Cargo Theft Report, there were 505 reported cargo thefts in the US in the first quarter of this year alone, which is a 36% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

FreightWaves reported that North America recorded more than 3,600 cargo theft incidents in 2024, representing a 27% increase year over year and more than $455 million in total losses. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) predicts that theft will rise another 20 to 25 percent in 2025 if current trends continue.

When factoring in indirect costs such as insurance claims, rerouting, and lost business, experts estimate total U.S. cargo theft losses between $15 and $35 billion annually.

What Thieves Are Targeting

Cargo thieves are becoming more selective and sophisticated in what they steal. According to Munich Re’s 2025 Cargo Theft Tactics and Trends Report:

• Food and beverage shipments account for roughly 22 percent of all thefts, since they can be quickly resold and are difficult to trace.
• Electronics, agricultural goods, and fuel continue to be top targets.
• Copper and other metals have surged in value, leading to a wave of high-value commodity thefts.

A 2025 Cargo Theft Report found that 41 percent of thefts occur while freight is in transit, while 21 percent happen at warehouses or distribution centers.

These are not smash-and-grab crimes. Many involve carefully planned deception, data manipulation, and insider information.

How Cargo Theft Has Evolved

The biggest change is the rise of strategic theft, where criminals use digital tools and false identities to pose as legitimate carriers or brokers.

According to CargoNet and Overhaul:

• Double brokering scams are among the most common methods, where criminals impersonate carriers or brokers to gain control of a load.
• Identity theft is widespread, with thieves impersonating legitimate Department of Transportation (DOT) or Motor Carrier (MC) numbers.
• GPS spoofing and telematics manipulation allow criminals to make a stolen load appear on track when it is not.
• Cyber fraud and email phishing enable thieves to alter pickup details or payment instructions.
• Insider collusion remains a growing risk, as bad actors exploit knowledge of processes, routes, facilities, or schedules.

Each tactic preys on the same weakness, a breakdown in verification and communication within the logistics chain.

The Real Cost to Shippers

The financial impact of cargo theft goes far beyond the value of the stolen goods.

According to testimony cited by Trucking Dive, only about 10 percent of theft cases result in arrests, leaving most losses unrecovered. For shippers, this means:

• Lost product and revenue that cannot be replaced quickly.
• Higher insurance premiums and stricter underwriting requirements.
• Operational disruption, including delayed production, missed customer deadlines, and rerouting costs.
• Reputational damage that can hurt long-term customer relationships.
• Increased freight rates, as carriers raise prices to offset risk.

Supply chain executives are warning that cargo theft is now contributing to inflation and consumer price increases because of these cascading effects.

How the Industry is Fighting Back

The industry is responding with a mix of new technology, tighter vetting, and stronger collaboration.

According to data from Highway and Overhaul:

• Carrier verification platforms are now a standard tool to validate authority, identity, insurance, and compliance before booking.
• AI-powered fraud detection is being used to spot unusual communication patterns and data mismatches.
• Geofencing and real-time tracking provide early warnings when shipments deviate from approved routes.
• Driver and vehicle verification systems help confirm that pickups are legitimate.

Still, the best defense remains layered: technology backed by human expertise and disciplined execution

A Smarter, Safer Path Forward

Freight security is no longer just about locks or alarms. It is about blending technology, data, and human judgment to stay ahead of evolving threats.

At Direct Traffic Solutions, we have made safety a mission. Our team combines AI-driven verification tools with hands-on vetting and Highway integration to ensure every carrier, call, and email is legitimate. Our veteran discipline means accountability is built into every load.

Cargo theft may be rising, but the right partners and practices can protect your freight and your reputation.

Download our Freight Protection Checklist to see the proven steps top shippers use to reduce risk and secure their supply chains.

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