Protect Yourself from Growing the Threat of Cargo Theft

Cargo theft can easily seem like someone else’s problem to a trucker who’s never been a victim.


The truth is, all owner operators, carriers and consumers are affected by the growing incidents of thefts and the enormous amount of money involved. Cargo thefts rose 27% from 2023 to 2024, according to CargoNet’s analysis,and amount to almost $500 million a year.

It’s crucial for drivers to be aware of what’s going on in order to protect themselves and their interests. It’s not just the risk of being responsible for a stolen cargo worth ten or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Cargo theft affects truckers in ways they may not be aware of. Rising insurance rates, the erosion of trust among shippers, and the effect on grocery prices are real costs of cargo theft that are growing.

Even if you’ve been driving a while, it’s important to stay in the know because it’s a rapidly changing field. Many of the risks and security best practices remain the same, but new threats and schemes are constantly being revealed. Here are the highpoints we think every trucker should know in today’s environment.


The Risks of Cargo Theft Are Great

A stolen truckload or portion of a truckload can be worth a lot. The estimated average value of theft incidents is $202,364, CargoNet says. It depends on what the freight is. Electronics and pharmaceuticals are going to be at the high end.

For carriers who are victims of cargo theft, insurance hopefully covers the loss, but the value of the stolen freight and your coverage will determine whether you have financial responsibility. That can be a big hit. Plus, when your policy comes up for renewal, you may be looking at a rate increase.

Any way you look at it, having the freight you’re responsible for stolen reflects poorly on you as a driver. Whether or not you were at fault, there may be damage to your reputation. You may lose business. And if your equipment is damaged in a burglary, you may miss work or be responsible for big, unexpected repairs if you have a high insurance deductible.


Know How Cargo Thefts Happen

A heightened awareness of risks and knowledge of the most common methods of cargo theft help you avoid risky situations. Here are five to be aware of.

1. Cargo Theft Resulting from Surveillance. Thieves will follow trucks leaving distribution centers or manufacturing plants to a truck stop and break in while drivers take a break. They may work in teams with a spotter at the plant alerting teams waiting ahead. In some cases, thieves have been tipped off by insiders at the manufacturer or by others who work for the carrier.
2. Cargo Theft Instigated by Fake Emergencies. A common gambit is to fake a breakdown to get drivers to stop to help. Once they do, thieves will either break into a trailer while the driver is distracted or just hijack the truck. Individuals posing as authorities may distract or detain drivers while conspirators empty the unsuspecting drivers’ load.
3. Cargo Theft Helped by Dark, Isolated Parking. Unlit, unmonitored truck stops, and parking areas provide criminals with opportunities to steal some or all of a load. In brazen attacks, trailer contents will be emptied directly into another trailer pulled alongside. Be picky about where you park. Consult the Trucker Path App to find trusted parking areas.
4. Cargo Theft Facilitated by Poorly Supervised Yards. Thieves will steal whole trailers dropped in unmonitored yards. An unattended trailer and an unrestricted getaway make for a tempting target, especially if criminals have performed surveillance and know the details of a drop trailer operation.
5. Cargo Theft Perpetrated by Fake Drivers and Documents. Some sophisticated operations involve fake drivers showing up early for scheduled pickups. Falsified bills of lading and even fake uniforms have been used to complete the deception. These days overcommunicating with shippers and confirming every detail—especially who will be picking up their load—is more important than ever.

With the always-evolving methods and schemes of freight thieves, it pays to be suspicious and stay aware. Always be on the lookout for people following you or watching you whether you’re resting or on the road. And stay informed of current risks and recent thefts. By tapping into the Trucker Path App you can learn of suspicious activity constantly being shared by other users.


Know the Statistics to Avoid Becoming a Statistic

Some days have a lower risk of cargo theft than others. According to the Overhaul United States & Canada: Annual Theft Report 2024, the lowest number of thefts occur on Sunday (10%) followed by Saturday (11%). Friday has the highest number of cargo thefts (19%) and Thursday has the second highest number (17%).

Avoid the witching hours for cargo theft of 12 AM to 6 AM when 29% of heists occur. The likelihood of being ripped off drops to 23% from 6 AM to noon. From 6 PM to midnight is another good time to drive when your likelihood of a cargo theft again drops to 23%.

Be aware of where heists are more likely to happen. According to Overhaul, the most thefts (33%) occur at a warehouse or DC. 23% happen at unsecured parking, and 13% take place at a truck stop or fuel station. Three states have the highest percentage of cargo thefts. California is the scene of 32% of cargo thefts, Texas accounts for 19% and Tennessee has 14% of the activity. Other states ranking high in cargo thefts include Pennsylvania, Georgia, Illinois, Arizona, New York, Louisiana, and Florida.

It’s important to know what you’re hauling, too. According to Overhaul’s report, certain product types are more likely to be targeted by thieves. Electronics are the target of 24% of thefts, alcohol 15%, and food & beverages, auto parts, and home & garden merchandise are tied at 10%. Experts say it’s not the high-ticket prices that always draw the most interest. Food and beverage loads are popular because they’re easily resold and hard to trace.


What You Can Do to Protect Yourself and Your Cargo

The best practices for preventing your freight from being stolen include hyper-awareness, anti-theft hardware, and technologies for tracking and security.

The Rule of 250
Basic rules of safety include driving 250 miles after leaving a pickup point before taking a rest stop. That’s enough distance to shake thieves who might be tailing you. Look for stalking vehicles or watchers at pickup, en route and once you stop.

Hyper Habits
Drivers are especially vulnerable when they’re entering or exiting the cab, so be hyper-aware and avoid distractions. When parking overnight, find high-traffic, well-lit spots.

Alarm Yourself
Consider installing alarm systems that include sensors placed on multiple entry points. Loud sirens and horns will scare thieves and alert people nearby. Good options include smartphone notifications just in case you’re out of earshot when your truck’s alarm goes off. Leveraging telematics to alert dispatchers or fleet managers of trailer breaches provides an additional layer of protection.

Thwarting Strategies
Hardware like gladhand locks that prevent thieves from moving a trailer, kingpin locks that prevent unauthorized tractors from hooking up trailers, and air cuff locks that cover mounted airbrake valves slow thieves down. Just backing against a fence or other barrier to prevent anyone from opening the trailer door serves the same purpose of buying time and causing frustration.

Software Advantages
On the road, reliable trip planning software can help drivers to avoid high risk areas. The Trucker Path App guides drivers to truck-ready routes with safe parking and has the added benefit of information about incidents and suspicious activity constantly being crowd-sourced by other drivers.

Tracking Stolen Freight
Fleets operating a transportation management system (TMS) with track and trace capability have the ability toidentify deviations in routing if trailers are stolen or vehicles are hijacked. Trucker Path Command is an affordable TMS option that provides track and trace functions as well as navigation features supporting safe, efficient routing.

We All Have a Hand in Preventing Cargo Theft

The advice, “if you see something, say something” applies to truckers more than ever—especially as the incidence of cargo theft and variety of schemes out there for stealing freight continue to grow. Being aware and continuously informed of new threats are the two greatest defenses a driver has. Get on the Trucker Path App and get involved today.