Cargo Theft and Protecting Your Shipment
Protect your shipments from cargo theft by being aware of the facts and causes, types of cargo at risk, and how to get the proper form of coverage.
Cargo Theft and Protecting Your Freight
It’s a story as old as shipping and trade. You’re a truck driver arriving at your destination with a full load. You open the back to inspect for damages from the long ride, only to discover an empty trailer!
Cargo theft has become a modern-day form of piracy. It’s arguably the most unfortunate aspect of freight shipping since it robs the logistics industry of millions of dollars a year. Not enough has been done to combat cargo theft, and as technology advances, thieves become more clever with their methods.
However, there are ways to prepare and protect your shipment from cargo thieves. Read on to learn more about this form of burglary and ways you can keep yourself and your freight safe.
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Why Choose FreightCenter for Safe Freight Shipping?
Logistics Expertise: We have 25 years of experience in the freight broker business. We’ve seen our fair share of cargo thefts, so let our knowledgeable team of experts assist you in keeping your freight safe during delivery.
Professional Carrier Network: Our network of professional carriers is vetted carefully to ensure no thieves are hiding in plain sight. You don’t need to research each carrier alone; we’ll discover the right carrier for your specific needs. We’ll also leverage our relationships to offer affordable, competitive rates that won’t break the bank.
Customizable Shipping Options: We offer customizable shipping options and services, including freight insurance, blind shipping, shipment tracking, and more. We tailor your booking to your specific needs, no matter what you’re shipping or where you’re shipping to.
Friendly Customer Support: Our knowledgeable agents and friendly customer support team will guide you through the booking process, from pre-booking inquiries to post-shipment concerns. Don’t worry about filing the paperwork or figuring out your bill; we’re there for you every step of the way. Your shipment is in safe hands when you book with us.
Types of Cargo Theft
When thieves target freight, they usually go after trucks. There are exceptions, like the recent surge of attacks in the Red Sea by Houthi pirates, but trucks are less secure than cargo planes or container ships, making them easy targets. Warehouses and terminals are also good targets if the buildings don’t have tight security systems.
Thieves can target your freight and other aspects of the supply chain in many different ways. Here are just a few that freight shippers may come across:
Straight Theft
The most straightforward cargo theft is when robbers break into an unattended cargo trailer and steal everything inside or hijack the truck. Thieves who employ this type of cargo theft usually target temperature-controlled trailers because most have either produce or medicines aboard, two highly valued commodities for cargo thieves. They also target commercial facilities like terminals and warehouses since products often sit unattended during downtimes.
Pilfering/Partial
This is a petty form of cargo theft. Thieves don’t steal an entire trailer; they take little bits from it and leave the rest of the cargo behind. This is a harder form of theft to track because drivers may not realize they were stolen until it’s too late, even believing they simply forgot to load an item onto the trailer.
Strategic/Fraud
This is a more subtle, less obvious form of cargo thievery where thieves impersonate individuals linked to the supply chain during the process. Some strategic methods thieves use include pretending to be a shipper and having cargo sent their way instead of the real shipper, fake carriers that take the cargo themselves or stage a hijacking, and secret warehouses hiding stolen items.
Cyber Thefts
Cyber thefts are similar to strategic theft in that they’re both underhanded tactics, but cyber thefts tend to be more open about it. Most cyber thefts are phishing emails that infect a broker or carrier’s computer system with Trojan horse malware, giving thieves access to classified information like delivery and pickup locations.
What Items Do Thieves Target the Most?
- Food and Beverages: Among the top commodities cargo thieves steal, making up 28% of the most commonly stolen goods. They’re easy to swipe because they can be quickly moved, sold, and consumed without a trace.
- Electronics: Another big target for cargo thieves, accounting for 13% of cargo theft. They are also easy to steal due to their smaller size and easy to conceal.
- Pharmaceuticals: Medications and medical equipment are precious commodities for cargo thieves. Though they are less accessible than other commonly stolen items, they are easy to conceal during a theft.
- Household Goods: Common household goods include appliances, tools, furniture, and toys. According to CargoNet, these items were the most stolen commodities in 2022, as inflation costs drove demand for them on the black market.
- Alcohol & Tobacco: Both alcohol and tobacco are shipped in large quantities, which makes them a good target for pilfering. It’s also a popular product for underground markets, making it easy for criminals to unload them.
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Trust the experts at FreightCenter to give you the best prices and the most comprehensive options for all your LTL freight shipping needs.
We deliver optimized solutions for full or partial truckloads and competitive dry van, flatbed, and refrigerated freight pricing. We can cover your full truckload shipping needs.
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Protect your freight and your wallet by adding on third-party insurance coverage to your booking.
Lost your shipment or had it stolen during transit? File a loss or shortage claim with your carrier.
Need to ship something without anyone knowing what's inside the shipment? Use our discreet shipping option!
Track your freight as it heads for its destination using our free online tracking system. Get live updates on mileage and estimated delivery times without hassle.
How to Protect Your Freight
It’s important to note that thieves will continue to become more sophisticated no matter what measures you take to safeguard your cargo. They constantly devise new, intricate methods to steal your goods and money, particularly with technological advancements making it easier for them.
It can seem hopeless, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try protecting your items at all. You can protect your freight from thieves and pirates that have stood the test of time in several ways.
Freight Insurance
Shippers can apply for freight insurance during booking. While many carriers must abide by carrier liability, their policies don’t cover all items or incidents. Freight insurance adds an extra layer of financial protection, covering most major incidents, including theft, damage, natural disasters, and other unforeseen events during transit. However, check what kind of insurance you’re purchasing as some insurances have limited coverage, like plans provided by carriers.
Freight Claims
You can file a freight claim with a carrier if your item was stolen or damaged during delivery. The most frequent kind of claim is for damages. However, many carriers accept loss and shortage claims for items that did not arrive at their destination or some items missing from your shipment, which is perfect for pilfering thefts. Every carrier has its process for filing a claim, though all processes require copies of documents from the shipment, like the Bill of Lading (BOL) and documents from the manufacturer.
Discreet Shipping
Discreet shipping, or blind shipping, is an option where your freight is delivered without visible markings. When someone looks inside the trailer, they won’t be able to tell what is inside the package except for the shipper, the driver, and the receiver. This option is useful for valuable, medical, or sensitive goods you prefer to keep confidential. However, it’s important to be cautious, as cargo thieves have been known to exploit discreet shipping to deceive both shippers and carriers into delivering products to them. Consult with a freight broker to determine if discreet shipping is the right choice for your shipment.
Background Checks
Fraud schemes are one of the most popular strategic thefts for cargo thieves. Shippers should be vigilant when selecting a carrier and broker for their next shipment. Shippers must check out credentials when choosing a carrier or broker for the first time. Where are they located? Do they have solid reviews online? What driver is picking up your freight? Trust is essential to successful shipper-broker-carrier relationships, so taking these precautions ensures your shipment’s safety.
Communication with Carrier and Broker
Shippers must maintain constant communication with their carriers and brokers. Thieves often target vulnerable locations and unsuspecting parties, so everyone involved in the shipping process needs to collaborate to safeguard their freight. Carriers and brokers can help by providing tracking information to shippers, enabling them to receive real-time updates and check estimated arrival times. Brokers also have dedicated customer service teams available to address any questions and concerns from the shipper. Maintaining contact with carriers and brokers can help establish ongoing relationships for future shipments and prevent interference from thieves.
How FreightCenter Prevents Cargo Theft
FreightCenter understands how essential protecting your freight is. That’s why we offer several options to add and use for your shipment:
- We offer discreet shipping services for specific carriers. We’ll help you decide if your freight needs to ship blind, and we’ll even customize your shipping to include options like double-discreet shipping and more!
- While FreightCenter doesn’t offer an in-house insurance option, we do offer third-party insurance options that can cover your shipment regardless of the type of freight.
- You can peruse our freight company database to make loss or shortage claims.
- We have our tracking system for all shipments. You can track your shipment on our website or mobile devices.
- Have issues with your shipment? Contact our customer support team with any questions or concerns during or after your shipment.
Cargo theft can be a distressing experience, but don’t let that deter you from shipping your freight. Ensure added security for your shipment and discover the FreightCenter difference today by requesting a free online quote or calling us at (800) 716-7608.
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cargo Theft
Q. What causes cargo theft?
Several factors can be attributed to cargo theft. The economy is the biggest reason cargo thefts are rising higher than ever. Economic conditions, like inflation, have made buying and selling common goods and services difficult. Other factors include oncoming natural disasters, busy shopping periods (like the holiday season), and more highly populated areas.
Q. What kind of freight do cargo thieves target?
Anything in demand can be easily concealed or taken from a trailer or warehouse without notice. In 2023, food and beverages, household goods, and alcohol and tobacco were the most commonly stolen commodities.
Q. How do I get freight insurance?
Carriers offer their insurance packages but are limited in scope and coverage. FreightCenter offers third-party insurance as an add-on to your booking, with various coverage amounts you can choose from. We’ll put you in contact with your chosen insurance company, and you’ll take it from there.
Q. How do I file a claim with a carrier?
Each carrier has its filing process that you’ll need to follow. They all, however, require documents related to the shipment, including the Bill of Lading (BOL) and any documentation from the manufacturer.
3 Advantages of Using FreightCenter for Safe Freight Shipping
25+ Years of Service
We have over 25 years of experience, as evidenced by our large network of professional carriers. Our knowledgeable team of shipping experts is ready to help you get your shipment out carefully and safely so you don’t have to worry about losing your shipment to thieves.
Customizable Shipping Options
Need to ship discreetly? No problem! Want to add third-party insurance? We've got you covered! Our FreightCenter agents can offer tailored solutions for your specific shipping needs so you can control your shipment's safety.
Friendly Customer Support
Our customer support team has the answers to many of your shipping questions and concerns. We’re here to help you through every step of the shipping process, from initial inquiries to post-shipment issues. Don’t let cargo theft get you down; we’ll help you work through the claims and filing process.
