Watch for Red-Flags and Avoid Cargo Theft

To help avoid cargo theft, the FBI estimates the loss value of Cargo Theft at roughly $30 billion dollars a year. Don’t think that affects you as an everyday consumer? Think again. That $30 billion loss causes retail businesses to mark up products an additional 20% for consumers — on everyday items like electronics, food, and clothing. (National Insurance Crime Bureau)

According to the NICB’s report, most Cargo Thefts happen within 200 miles or four (4) hours from the driver’s starting point.  Criminals view Cargo Theft as relatively ‘low risk’ and usually produces a ‘high return’ for them when they turn around and sell the product they’ve stolen.  Criminals follow drivers they’ve targeted and can usually steal the cargo within five (5) minutes after the driver stops.  That is scary!  Another growing trend is ‘Fraudulent Pickups’ where thieves access load information online and impersonate a legitimate carrier to pick up a load directly from the shipper… and after they’ve picked up the load, they disappear.

Ways to Prevent Cargo Theft:

• Run Background Checks and Screen Employees.
• Train Employees and Educate them on hijack awareness and prevention.
• Consider In-Transit Security when choosing shipment routes and avoid stopping again within 200 miles (or four hours) after picking up a load. As well, use secured lots and avoid parking in theft hotspots.
• Conduct periodic supply chain audits to discover gaps in shipment protection.

Let’s work together to keep the cargo we haul safe from criminals and thieves.

Have comments or more ways to prevent Cargo Theft?  Leave us a comment!