Combating Fraud and Cargo Theft In 2025

The freight industry is facing an alarming surge in cargo theft, fueled by sophisticated fraud rings that exploit digital systems and broker trust networks. One of the most damaging trends is the rise of strategic double brokering—where criminals impersonate legitimate carriers or brokers to steal freight without ever approaching a loading dock.

As a premier truckload freight brokerage, Unlimited Logistics is committed to staying ahead of fraud trends, implementing rigorous vetting processes, and educating our partners on red flags and prevention strategies.

Record cargo thefts: In 2024, the U.S. saw 3,798 cargo theft incidents—a 26% increase from the previous year—with nearly $455 million in reported losses (the real cost estimated closer to $1 billion), according to Verisk CargoNet.
Source: Crossdock Insights – U.S. Cargo Theft: Fraud Explodes in Q1 2024

Organized crime involvement: These rings aren’t amateurs—they hack FMCSA profiles, spoof brokers, and impersonate carriers using fabricated documents and digital deception.
Source: Miles & Mentors Podcast – What Freight Fraud Looks Like in 2025

Corporate targets: High-profile brands like Lacoste and Lululemon have reportedly lost six-figure shipments to these schemes, proving that no shipper is too big to target.
Source: Transport Topics – Brokers, Carriers Fight Theft Surge

Cargo theft hit new highs in Q1 2024, with 925 documented incidents—a 46% increase year-over-year, according to CargoNet. While theft of unattended trailers remains an issue, the bigger threat now comes from organized fraud operations using stolen identities and falsified credentials to infiltrate the freight system.

“Double-brokering fraud has been around for years, but it’s definitely increasing,” said Scott Cornell, transportation crime and theft specialist at Travelers. “We continue to see this enable organized cargo theft rings to be at arm’s length from the theft itself.”

Traditionally, cargo theft meant cutting locks or stealing parked trailers. Today, it’s often entirely digital. Criminals exploit efficiencies in freight matching platforms and broker-carrier networks to steal loads without physical interaction. Common tactics include:

• Stolen FMCSA operating authorities

• Fake emails and burner phone numbers

• Spoofed MC/DOT credentials

• Forged rate confirmations

This fraud is widespread. California, Texas, and Illinois remain hot zones (with theft up 72%, 22%, and 126% respectively), but states like Arizona and Nevada are rapidly climbing the ranks. Thanks to online access and fraudulent paperwork, scammers can now target freight anywhere in the U.S.

In Q1 2024, the average stolen load was worth $281,757, with total losses exceeding $154 million. Frequently targeted commodities include:

• Food and beverages

• Small appliances

• Copper

• Liquor

• Machinery

Criminal networks often operate across borders, using shell companies or false U.S. addresses to secure loads. Once the freight is picked up, it's gone for good.

In late 2023, a California-based shipper booked a $300,000 shipment of consumer electronics with a seemingly reputable carrier. The rate confirmation was processed normally, but the carrier used a stolen MC number and a spoofed email address that closely resembled a legitimate company.

The scammer arrived with a clean-looking truck, proper documents, and even communicated with the warehouse staff. Once the load was picked up, all communication stopped. The tracking number provided was fake, and by the time the shipper contacted the real carrier (whose identity had been stolen), the freight had vanished.

The FBI later confirmed that the theft was linked to an organized crime ring operating in multiple states using fraudulent documents and burner phones. The load was never recovered.

Key Red Flags Missed:

• The DOT number on the vehicle didn’t match the rate confirmation

• Email domain had a slight misspelling

• No shipment history for that carrier in the origin region

At Unlimited Logistics, we consider freight security essential to supply chain reliability. Double brokering doesn't just mean stolen cargo—it results in:

• Missed delivery windows

• Legal complications

• Broken trust with customers

• Damaged reputations

According to the Highway Q1 2025 Freight Fraud Index:

• 49% of impersonation fraud involved stolen carrier identities

• Most thefts occurred within 48 hours of receiving a fake rate confirmation

• Over 60% of incidents were linked to repeat offenders

Fraudsters prey on weak vetting and rushed decisions. That’s why our safeguards are designed to catch red flags before they become losses.

We’ve built a multi-layered security system to protect against these modern threats:

1. Carrier Identity Verification
   We verify FMCSA data, consult Highway fraud intelligence, and apply internal risk scoring before onboarding new carriers.

2. Live Compliance Monitoring
   Our system flags irregular bidding behavior—such as geographic inconsistencies or suspicious equipment claims.

3. Load-Specific Carrier Matching
   We assign only trusted carrier partners to high-value or high-risk shipments.

4. Double-Brokering Detection Tools
   Our fraud monitoring integrations track digital fingerprints across broker emails, rate confirmations, and carrier profiles.

5. Fraud Education for Shippers
   We proactively alert clients to scams and share real-time intelligence on emerging fraud trends.

Scott Cornell outlines key warning signs to watch for:

• The DOT number on an arriving truck doesn’t match your confirmation

• A company claims five trucks, but FMCSA shows fewer than two inspections in 24 months

• Carriers bid on loads far outside their normal operating regions

• Rate confirmations differ in format or content from previous versions

• Emails come from odd or misspelled domains

As fraud becomes more sophisticated, proactive security measures are no longer optional—they're essential. At Unlimited Logistics, freight integrity is at the heart of what we do. We don’t just move freight—we protect your business.

Let’s close the door on freight fraud. Trust is earned, and we earn it load by load.