Cargo Theft at Truck Stops

Written By Matt Weigand

Cargo theft is an important issue for truck drivers in the U.S. Every year, thousands of cargo thefts occur at truck stops and rest stops. Truck drivers must be vigilant when stopping at these locations and conduct walk around inspections of their trucks, trailers and trailer doors to ensure nothing has been tampered with or stolen while they were away. Additionally, they should be mindful of any suspicious activity occurring around their trucks and pay attention to anyone who may be attempting to access the trailer without permission.   

Cargo thefts are a serious problem for trucking companies in the U.S., costing industry hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Organizations like FreightWatch International have been created to help track and investigate these crimes and reduce their frequency. Truck drivers should also take extra precautions when stopping at truck stops and be vigilant in protecting their cargo. By understanding how these crimes are committed, they can work with freight watch organizations to detect suspicious activity around their vehicle while it is parked at the stop. This helps reduce the price tag paid by tax paying consumers due to increased insurance costs associated with cargo theft related crimes.    

Cargo thieves tend to target certain shipments, commodities, and certain types of trucks. The most targeted commodities are alcoholic beverages and major appliances. Also, distribution centers are a common target for cargo thieves. Goods can be stolen from the dock or during transit. These thefts usually occur in large metropolitan areas where goods can be more easily sold on the black market with no risk of getting caught by law enforcement agencies.   

There are two types of cargo thieves: professional and amateur. Professional cargo thieves often have intimate knowledge of the trucking industry and can target strategic cargo with ease. Amateur thieves, on the other hand, will use various methods to try to steal goods from trucks that are parked at truck stops or rest areas. These thefts are usually easier for criminals as they don’t need an inside connection like professional cargo thieves do. Crime outfits have been known to prey on inexperienced company drivers who may not know how to properly secure their vehicles and goods, making it easy for amateur cargo thieves to get away with their loot.   

Cargo theft at truck stops is especially prevalent, as the entire tractor trailer may be left unattended for periods of up to six hours or more while the driver takes a break. To minimize these thefts, companies should install time-lapse surveillance cameras in their yards, as well as at truck stops and other areas where drivers are likely to stop. This way, if a driver leaves his or her cargo unattended for too long and thieves take advantage of the lapse in surveillance, there will be evidence of them entering and leaving with the stolen goods.   

Cargo theft in the US is a problem that affects truck stops, store parking lots, remote rest areas and empty lots. These locations are often insecure, making them ideal targets for thieves who can easily access and steal shipments. To reduce cargo theft at these locations, drivers should think of their trucks as they would their own homes. They should park in secure parking lots or retail stores and limit stops to no more than 250 miles per day. Additionally, they should avoid drop lots and remote rest areas when possible.    

Cargo theft in the U.S. is a major problem, and truck stops are some of the most common areas for cargo thefts to occur. According to Cargonet mentions, there were over 300 thefts reported in 2019 alone, and many of these incidents occurred at truck stops. Common culprits include unattended cargo and unattended vehicles left parked overnight in yards or drop lots. This type of theft can have devastating effects on businesses as it disrupts their supply chain operations and results in major losses for shipments that are stolen or delayed due to investigations into theft incidents. Verisk Business Intelligence has developed security protocols specifically designed to stop cargo theft from occurring at truck stops which involve secure parking yards with 24/7 surveillance as well as measures such as authentication checks for drivers picking up goods from the yard .

Experienced cargo thieves are targeting truck stops due to the fact that unsecured truck terminals and unattended trucks provide an attractive target for theft activity. Firm cargonet cargo, a subsidiary of Verisk Business Intelligence, is working with the trucking industry to reduce incidents of theft at these locations. Cargonet Cargo has implemented systems such as surveillance cameras, motion detectors and alarm systems which alert nearby personnel when unattended vehicles are detected. They also utilize GPS tracking devices which allow them to monitor shipments from their origin to destination and alert personnel if there is any suspicious activity occurring along the way.    

Cargo theft in the U.S. truck stops is a serious crime that affects many companies and often results in costly losses for those involved. Fraudulent carriers, carrier fraud, and identity theft are all methods of cargo theft used by thieves. Thieves posing as legitimate carriers use deceptive information to gain access to strategic cargo, while unconventional methods such as using a company's identity are also used by thieves to steal cargo at truck stops. Companies can combat these thefts by implementing better security measures and monitoring their shipments more closely with GPS tracking devices.    

Truck thefts have become a major problem in the trucking industry, with theft rates rising each year. Cargo theft is one of the most common crimes faced by trucking companies and trailer parks. Criminal networks are targeting semi-trailers and cargo trucks at truck stops across the country, with burglaries occurring more often in commercial parking lots. Truck trailers are also being targeted as they are often left unattended for extended periods of time.    

Cargo thieves take advantage of this and wait for an unsuspecting trucker to leave their cargo unit. Cargo theft is a major issue across the United States, particularly at truck stops where thefts often take place. This is due to the high volume of cargo units that pass through these locations, which makes it easier for cargo rings to steal goods. Distribution centers and unsecured parking locations are also riskiest locations as they are frequent targets of thieves. Texas is one of the states with highest number of thefts as many truck stops in Texas have been targeted by cargo theft rings. In order to stop these criminals from taking advantage of unsuspecting truckers, companies need to be extra vigilant when securing their loads in these areas, installing better security systems and educating their drivers on how best to protect their cargos while on the road.    

Cited Sources

Matt Weigand
Previous

Our Mission

Next

Where Are All The Drivers?