The Alarming Rise of Cargo Theft in the United States

Cargo theft has been on the rise in the U.S. throughout 2022 and 2023. Cargonet, a firm that tracks cargo shipments, has reported a significant increase in cargo theft across the country with no signs of abating. Businesses have had to purchase insurance quotes data to protect their equipment from thieves and mitigate losses due to these thefts. The top freight companies are now utilizing cargonet cargo tracking services to help reduce risk events associated with shipping goods across Canada and the United States. With more awareness around supply chain security, businesses will be able to better secure their shipments from thieves and reduce their insurance costs significantly in 2022-2023.

Cargonet data shows that cargo thefts have significantly increased in the US and Canada, with 188 incidents reported in the third quarter of 2020. This is according to Freightwaves NOI who examined criminal tactics used by thieves targeting the transportation sector. Goods such as electronics, food products, and pharmaceuticals were among those most targeted in this surge of cargo theft. The criminals are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to avoid detection, making it more difficult for transportation companies to protect their shipments from theft. Businesses should be aware of these strategies and invest in better security measures for their goods when shipping them by road or rail across North America.

Cargo theft is on the rise in the US, and according to the Cargonet report, there were 185 cargo thefts between September 2021 and January 2021. Chain thefts accounted for more than half of these incidents, according to Verisk Analytics. The top state for cargo theft during this time period was California, with 31% of all thefts taking place there. This is likely due to its large population and economic importance as a hub for many supply chain activities. With the upcoming holiday season expected to be very busy for retailers, businesses should expect an increase in cargo theft over the next two years. To help protect their goods from being stolen, businesses should take extra security measures when shipping their goods by road or rail across North America.

Cargo theft has been on the rise in the United States over the past several years, and this trend is projected to continue in 2022 and 2023. According to Cargonet, cargo theft increased by 5% from 2020 to 2021, with a greater increase expected for 2022. The company's data shows that crime groups have been targeting fictitious cargo pickups as well as similar fictitious pickups that may appear legitimate. This has caused an increase in traffic of one heavy commercial vehicle per day being stolen across the United States, especially in states like Georgia and California. In addition to increased security measures, Cargonet said businesses should also be aware of their own risk factors when it comes to shipping goods. Businesses should consider using tracking technologies such as RFID tags or GPS trackers so they can monitor their shipments more closely and help identify any potential thieves if a shipment goes missing.

Additionally, businesses should use thorough vetting practices when hiring and working with third-party companies or drivers to transport their goods. Companies should also take steps to protect their cargo from strategic cargo theft, such as keeping shipments secure and ensuring that fictitious cargo pickups are not made. Furthermore, businesses should ensure regular vehicle maintenance to reduce the risk of breakdowns during transportation that could lead to cargo theft. Finally, it is important for businesses to be aware of identity crime within the supply chain which can put auto parts and other products like engines at risk of being stolen. By taking all these steps into account, businesses in the transportation industry can help reduce the chances of their goods being stolen in 2022 and 2023.

Cargo theft has been on the rise due to economic pressures, and shippers should take a layered approach when it comes to risk mitigation. This includes having good policies in place, investing in new technologies, and using third-party solutions to help reduce the risk of theft. Additionally, shippers should consider using specialized security measures such as GPS tracking and temperature monitoring for beverage cargos that are particularly vulnerable to straight theft. Businesses should also develop their own unique strategies for mitigating cargo theft risks which may include hiring additional security personnel or increasing their insurance coverage.

In the U.S., cargo theft has been on a steady rise in 2022 and 2023, with top commodities such as beverage commodities and electronics being the top items on thieves' wish lists. As a result, organizations have had to invest more resources into logistics security measures. Cargonet is one of many technology-based solutions that provide businesses with real-time tracking capabilities in order to better safeguard their goods from theft.

Cargo theft is on the rise in the U.S., with more perpetrators stealing goods from cargo vehicles and robbing drivers. In 2022 and 2023, one theft was reported per day, with some reports indicating that vehicle drivers were robbed three times a day. General statistics indicate that most of these thefts are small value crimes where load units are stolen without any attempt to track them down or prosecute those responsible for the crime. This has created a massive problem for transportation companies who must pay out of pocket to replace or repair any stolen or damaged goods. Additionally, smaller businesses may not be able to recover financially after one theft incident due to their limited resources. In order to combat this growing problem, many businesses have implemented updated safety protocols including increased tracking and surveillance capabilities as well as improved security systems around cargo vehicles themselves.

Despite these efforts, the numbers show that cargo theft is on the rise with an estimated 10 cargo thefts reported in the US alone in 2022 and 2023. Thieves are often stealing only part of a shipment or using pilferage theft to steal small items over time. This has led to a boom for transportation businesses who specialize in theft prevention as well as transportation leads who have become crime group specialists. It is essential for any transit business to have secure trucks and unsecured roadside stops to make sure their cargo stays safe from thieves.

In the US, cargo theft is on the rise with a reported increase of nearly 28 percent from 2022 to 2023. A particularly noteworthy event was a 2023 meat heist in which thieves stole an entire cargo trailer full of dollar meat. This kind of elaborate cargo theft requires strategic planning and a range of unconventional methods such as deceptive information, false paperwork and other tactics to confuse law enforcement. It is also important for transportation businesses to be proactive in protecting their products by taking steps such as tracking their cargo, using secure locks and more. Cargo theft is an ever-growing problem that needs to be addressed before it gets out of hand.

Cited Sources

Targeted and Vulnerable

The Alarming Rise of Cargo Theft in the United States

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