Cargo theft is reaching record levels across the U.S., with organized criminal networks targeting trucks, warehouses, and even train cars. According to a six-month CNBC investigation, criminals are exploiting digital tools meant to streamline logistics, instead using them to hijack entire truckloads of goods.
In 2024 alone, Verisk CargoNet reported 3,798 theft incidents — up 26% from 2023 — with losses nearing $455 million. Experts believe actual losses exceed $1 billion due to underreporting. Train cargo theft alone rose 40% with over 65,000 cases.
Criminals now frequently engage in strategic theft, impersonating legitimate companies to intercept cargo or payments. This form of fraud has skyrocketed from 8% of cases in 2020 to about 33% in 2024.
“It’s like identity theft,” said Keith Lewis, VP of Verisk CargoNet. “There’s no trail. It’s a ghost crime.”
The reach is international: CargoNet has traced groups operating in 32 countries. Jerry Jacobs of Prosponsive Logistics said it’s a daily threat: “There’s probably a 33% chance you’re talking to a scammer.”
In one case, Jacobs’ company was impersonated to book shipments. Legitimate carriers picked up freight, only for criminals to collect payment — if not the goods themselves. “It costs consumers,” Jacobs said, noting that stolen cargo drives up retail prices.
Food and beverage is the most stolen commodity, followed by household goods and electronics. The perishability and lack of traceability of food make it easy for criminals to dispose of evidence.
Retailers are increasingly affected. Meta lost $500,000 worth of Ray-Bans and Oculus products; Lululemon lost over $1 million in a California warehouse heist. Lacoste slides stolen in Los Angeles were found days after an executive discussed theft impacts at a logistics conference.
Birger Buesching of Philips said these thefts delay deliveries and strain inventory. Ellen Kapiloff of Lacoste added that limited stock stolen in transit affects consumer access: “You may not find the product online or in stores.”
While many companies remain quiet about losses, some are taking action. J.B. Hunt and Landstar cited cargo theft in earnings calls, noting increased security investments. C.H. Robinson, which moves over 5 million loads annually, reported just two January thefts, crediting strong fraud detection strategies.
TQL invested $4 million into anti-theft tech. Nolan Transportation emphasizes prevention through data and enhanced carrier vetting. DAT Freight and Analytics, a key logistics platform, now employs 25 people solely focused on blocking fraud attempts, most of which stem from identity theft.
Security firm Highway said it blocked over 914,000 fraud attempts in 2024. It identified frequent attacks from users in countries like India, Mexico, and Serbia, who tried to access U.S. systems to impersonate real carriers. CEO Jordan Graft called for stronger FMCSA protections, saying the agency is under-resourced to handle cybercrime.
The FMCSA said it is rolling out stronger authentication and a modernized registration system to safeguard the industry.
In response, lawmakers are pushing for change. Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) co-introduced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which would establish a federal task force under Homeland Security to tackle cargo theft and coordinate with local agencies. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), chair of a key transportation subcommittee, said the FMCSA lacks the tools to effectively block fraudsters from online systems — a major weakness in the era of e-commerce.
As criminals grow more sophisticated, industry leaders and lawmakers are racing to adapt and defend America’s vital supply chain infrastructure.
Source: CNBC