Cargo Theft Is Spiking in 2025. Here’s How to Prevent It

Cargo theft is surging in the United States. In the second quarter of 2025 alone, CargoNet recorded 884 theft events, marking a 13 percent increase year-over-year. That’s significant, and higher than previous increases we’ve seen. 

From organized rings targeting high-value loads to sophisticated fraud tactics that manipulate digital load boards, the methods used by cargo thieves are becoming more sophisticated, more brazen, and more damaging to supply chains. Criminals specifically target high-value freight, knowing exactly how to find and unfortunately, how to steal freight. 

At UC Group and our asset-based fleet, Unlimited Carrier, we take cargo theft seriously. As proud members of CargoNet, we believe that preventing cargo theft requires more than reactive measures. Our fleet, operations, and safety teams continuously monitor the freight that our customers trust us to deliver, using the latest technology and best practices to prevent theft and protect our drivers. 

The State of Cargo Theft in Q2 2025

CargoNet’s most recent Q2 2025 report paints a concerning picture. Theft incidents are climbing steadily, with food and beverage products once again topping the list of most stolen commodities. High-value goods like electronics, copper, and automotive parts were also frequently targeted, especially in Southern California, South Florida, and the greater Chicago area (our hometown and a leading transportation hub of the United States).

Key insights from the report include:

• 884 thefts were reported in Q2, compared to 787 in Q1, a 13% increase quarter-over-quarter.
  
  
• Strategic theft, where fraudsters impersonate legitimate carriers to steal freight, continues to rise sharply. Their methods are scarily effective, oftentimes duping paperwork, truck logos, and warehouse signage to look identical to the real thing.
  
  
• In-transit thefts remain the most common, but warehouse and distribution center thefts are also growing.
  
  
• Hotspots include Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and Chicago, all major freight hubs.
  
  

The risk is no longer limited to parked trailers or late-night loads. Cargo thieves leverage insider knowledge, spoofed email domains, and falsified documents to deceive brokers and carriers. In many cases, the documents or equipment a criminal uses are indistinguishable from those of a legit carrier or warehouse. 

How Cargo Theft Impacts Your Supply Chain

The financial impact of cargo theft is just one (albeit large) part of the problem. Not only is the carrier impacted, but the shipper whose goods were in that truck, the store who expected to receive those products, and the customer who wanted to buy that product all face inconveniences at best, or total disruptions and financial strain at worst. 

When a shipment goes missing, the ripple effects hit every stakeholder in the supply chain:

• Retailers face stockouts, leading to missed sales and customer dissatisfaction. With fewer products on the shelves, retailers miss out on profits and risk driving their customers to another store, maybe even for good.
  
  
• Manufacturers lose time and money on reorders, remanufacturing, and freight rescheduling. All of which must be done unexpectedly and at short notice.
  
  
• Brokers and carriers absorb reputational damage, especially if clients feel their freight wasn’t adequately protected. Good luck earning that trust back in an industry with razor thin margins built on personal relationships.
  
  
• Insurance premiums rise, eroding profit margins across the board. In this case, carriers must charge more to offset the premium, which either results in them losing customers, or their customers losing money. A true lose-lose situation.
  
  

For manufacturers and suppliers operating on just-in-time inventory models, a single stolen shipment can halt production lines, delay order fulfillment, and trigger costly downtime. For retailers, late deliveries mean empty shelves, lost sales, and frustrated customers especially damaging during peak seasons or promotional periods.

But the consequences don’t stop there. Clients may begin to question whether their logistics partners can be trusted to deliver on time. Over time, repeated disruptions can erode a brand’s credibility, reputation, and long-term customer relationships. In competitive industries, this can result in canceled contracts, non-renewals, or being excluded from preferred vendor lists.

Every disrupted shipment represents a fracture in your customer experience, your service reliability, and your financial performance. That’s why prevention efforts need to be viewed not as cost centers, but as strategic investments in protecting your business model, your brand, and your bottom line.

How to Prevent Cargo Theft: Best Practices from the NMFTA

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) has published a comprehensive framework for preventing cargo theft, especially as theft tactics evolve in both the physical and digital realms.

Here are the top prevention strategies every carrier, broker, and shipper should implement:

Secure Physical Assets

• Install air cuff locks, kingpin locks, and landing gear locks on trailers
  
  
• Park vehicles in secure, well-lit lots with surveillance
  
  
• Avoid dropping loaded trailers unless in monitored locations
  
  
• Use high-security seals and inspect them at every stop
  
  

Vet Drivers and Carriers Thoroughly

• Confirm driver identity with valid licenses and matching photos
  
  
• Use multi-step verification when assigning loads, especially high-value freight
  
  
• Routinely audit carrier credentials to detect identity spoofing or revoked authorities
  
  

Defend Against Cyber-Enabled Fraud

• Train staff to detect phishing attempts and fake dispatch emails
  
  
• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) across TMS and load board platforms
  
  
• Beware of spoofed websites and fake load boards—especially for last-minute bookings
  
  

Monitor, Respond, and Report

• Use GPS-enabled tracking on all high-value or time-sensitive loads
  
  
• Immediately report any suspicious activity to CargoNet and law enforcement
  
  
• Keep drivers informed of high-risk corridors and known scam tactics
  
  

Cargo theft prevention is not one-size-fits-all. It requires a customized approach based on freight type, shipment value, routing lanes, and risk profile. 

Thanks to our active membership in CargoNet, we have access to real-time theft intelligence, hotspot mapping, recovery resources, and direct law enforcement coordination. These tools are seamlessly integrated into our day-to-day operations, empowering our dispatchers, drivers, and operations teams to stay a step ahead of evolving threats. Whether it’s verifying carrier identity, monitoring high-risk corridors, or hardening our equipment with physical deterrents, our teams are trained to recognize vulnerabilities before they become losses.

Our Commitment to Secure Freight

Cargo theft may be spiking, but it isn’t inevitable. With the right tools, partners, and mindset, it can be prevented.

At UC Group and Unlimited Carrier, we’ve built our reputation on delivering freight safely, reliably, and securely. Whether you're shipping high-volume food and beverage loads, electronics, or specialized LTL freight, we take every measure to ensure your cargo gets to its destination without incident.

In a climate where fraud is rising and criminals are getting smarter, we’re staying one step ahead—through constant monitoring, proactive prevention, and the industry’s best resources for recovery.

Let’s Talk Freight Security

If you’re concerned about cargo theft or want to audit your current logistics security setup, we’re here to help. Our team can walk you through the steps we take to keep your shipments protected and share the value we gain through CargoNet and other partnerships.

Reach out today to schedule a conversation.

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