Rising Trends of Cargo Theft in Trucking and Shipping
To help you understand the ongoing issues in the trucking and shipping sector and the expected future developments, iBestTravel is dedicated to providing updates on the latest news and forecasts. Here’s the latest…
It isn’t just stores grappling with a surge of retail thefts. Organized crime rings are increasingly targeting goods in shipments. For instance, one operation dismantled earlier this year in Southern California involved the theft of 200 truckloads of goods.
Thieves are forging phony paperwork when collecting cargo shipments, subsequently vanishing without a trace. They may impersonate legitimate companies, deceiving brokers into contracting their services while never delivering the product. Moreover, some even register as “new” companies with federal authorities, stealing as much as they can before facing an audit. Goods such as electronics are particularly attractive targets, as they tend to be easily resold.
Criminals are increasingly targeting containers in backlogged ports, which house a variety of goods ranging from home appliances to apparel and more. Reports from Union Pacific highlight a surge in cargo container break-ins, particularly as shipments move out of the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.
Consequently, shippers must exercise vigilance when reviewing a trucker’s documentation prior to enlisting their services. To mitigate potential fraud, some shippers are opting to avoid any trucking companies that have been operational for less than 90 days. Additionally, cargo tracking sensors can monitor shipments during transit and promptly alert shippers to any deviations from planned routes. Services like Carrier411, TIA Watchdog, Convoy, and CargoNet, can facilitate the verification of trucker identities.
This overview provides crucial insights into the evolving threats in cargo security, highlighting the need for proactive measures in the face of increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics within the trucking and shipping industry.
