Cargo theft patterns are changing. Ever since the pandemic, the practice has accelerated and spread to areas that previously saw little criminal activity. Understanding the cargo theft evolution can be a fleet's first step in combating crime.
According to Verisk CargoNet, there were 1,781 reported cargo theft events in 2020. In 2024, the number of reported events increased to 3,625, a 21% rise from 2023.
What happened to cargo theft in the U.S.?
At the Truckload Carriers Associations’ 2025 Safety & Security meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, Scott Cornell, national practice lead, transportation/Inland marine crime and theft specialist, Travelers, said that the COVID-19 pandemic fueled the cargo theft surge.
“Anytime there's an economic downturn, any major events across the country, you will see cargo theft tick up,” Cornell said last week. “I go back to the 2008 to 2010 market crash. We saw cargo theft blow up pretty good during that time and then came back down as the economy improved. This is a normal reaction that cargo thieves have. They take advantage of us when we're at our worst possible times.”
But cargo theft has not slowed. Instead, it has continued to explode with no sign of slowing down. According to Cornell, the rise in strategic theft—including tactics such as identity theft, double brokering, fictitious pickups, fraud, and more—is at play here. While thieves are still committing straight theft, they’re becoming smarter and turning to newer tactics and technology to steal truckloads.
While traditional cargo crime hotspots remain in California, Texas, and Florida, cargo theft has increased nationwide. According to Cornell, this means areas that previously saw little activity are now facing a new reality. Drivers and fleets in states like Wyoming are figuring out how to deal with cargo theft for the first time, and law enforcement in those areas is also struggling.
And this expansion isn’t just a national problem. Cargo thieves have gone international while still targeting the U.S, from countries like India and Canada. Before 2020, cargo theft in the U.S. was mostly done by small rings of unsophisticated thieves, likely related to each other. Now, larger, international rings are in play, using more sophisticated schemes.
International cargo theft rings "are big, and they are sophisticated, and they blend into our system,” Cornell said. “They blend into the supply chain. They know how to talk. They know how our supply chain works. They gather intelligence all the time, and they're out there mixing in with all the good guys.”
See also: How to handle the 'chaos' after a truck crash
How to cope with the current state of cargo theft
While cargo theft is growing more complicated and sophisticated, there are still things fleets can do to protect themselves.
Be aware
Stay informed on cargo theft trends, such as new types of theft, targeted commodities, targeted routes and locations, and more. Cornell recommends the following organizations as educational sources on cargo theft:
- Transported Asset Protection Association
- CargoNet
- Southwest Transportation Security Council
- Midwest Cargo Security Council
Be prepared
Have a plan in place for what to do when a cargo theft occurs before it actually happens. Ensure everyone in your fleet—drivers, dispatch, managers, etc.—is trained to enact this plan and knows their role in it.
Consider asset protection equipment and technology
Tools and technology exist that can help fleets outsmart cargo thieves. Cornell said fleets can consider various types of asset trackers that can be used to track cargo and/or equipment. Disposable trackers are now available at generally cheap prices for fleets to utilize.
“Cargo thieves are really good at return on investment,” Cornell said. “We need to be really good at return on investment.”
Fleets are also turning to technology to prevent cargo theft. One example is Birdseye Security Solutions, a provider of remote live video monitoring solutions. According to Vy Duong, director of sales, Birdseye pairs AI with trained agents to monitor fleet facilities for various issues, including cargo theft.
“In terms of perimeter monitoring, we're able to detect trespassers before they go into the facility,” Duong said. “There are infrared cameras that are able to detect thieves. Agents can use speakers, and they'll say, 'You in the red hoodie, you're about to trespass.’”
According to Duong, when the company’s live agents confront trespassers through facility speakers, this is almost always enough to scare off potential thieves. And in cases when thieves aren’t deterred, the agents are trained to contact the local authorities and fleet officials. New technology like this is another option for fleets to consider to prevent cargo theft.
