Shipment theft reached an all-time high during 2024, and so far, 2025 looks to be an even worse year.
All shipments are at risk, and criminals seem to have no limits when it comes to the tools and tactics they will use.
Purolator has long prioritized shipment protection, with continual investments in personnel and training, technology-based systems and assets, and accreditation with international standards organizations.
We are pleased to provide a 4-part series, along with a white paper, that delve into the serious issue of cargo theft and offer useful insight about how businesses can protect their valuable shipments.
Each article focuses on a different aspect of shipment security and offers useful information for minimizing risk. Readers can access the white paper for more detailed discussion.
Shipment security is a front-burner issue for all businesses. But working together, there are ways to fight back. Following is part one of our four-part series.
Shipment Theft is Increasing. Is Your Supply Chain Protected?
Because businesses don’t have enough to worry about, comes news that rates of cargo theft across the United States and Canada reached “unprecedented levels” during 2024. That assessment, reported by CargoNet continues a troubling trend which saw a 27% increase in the number of reported theft incidents during 2024, with early data from 2025 suggesting “alarming rates that far exceed historical averages.”
Shipments of all types are at risk. Earlier this year, for example, thieves attempted to steal a shipment of beef valued at $55,000 from a parked tractor trailer while the driver was making a delivery. Another incident, this one in broad daylight, involved a truck carrying consumer electronics that was ambushed while stopped at a railroad crossing. And a particularly egregious incident occurred when more than 2 million dimes were stolen from a tractor-trailer that was parked in a Philadelphia-area parking lot. The coins had been picked up from the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia and were destined for Miami. The same individuals charged in that case were also implicated in thefts of shipments containing frozen crab legs, shrimp, meat, beer, and liquor.
As these examples make clear, thieves will target just about any product with a resale value. An estimated 100,000 organic eggs, for example, were stolen from a parked trailer during February 2025. The theft occurred at a time when egg prices were extremely elevated, with some areas experiencing shortages. CargoNet notes that criminals have “adapted their targeting strategies” in recent years to prioritize thefts of products that are currently in demand. As a result, CargoNet’s list of “primary targets” for 2025 includes copper, vehicle accessories, energy drinks, alcoholic beverages, footwear, and meat products. Overall though, most-targeted commodity categories include food and beverages, household goods, and electronics.
The New Face of Cargo Theft
Shipment theft is big business, with the average stolen shipment valued at more than $200,000, and criminals are clearly willing to put in the work needed to figure out how to get their hands on a potentially lucrative shipment. While warehouses, distribution centers and truck stops are the most frequently targeted theft locations, thieves have become adept at technology-based schemes, and increasingly sophisticated in their scams. A few examples include:
- Fictitious Pickups. A driver claims to represent a legitimate carrier when, in fact, the carrier is fraudulent. The shipper unknowingly releases its goods to the supposed carrier, only to learn its shipment has been stolen.
- Identity Theft. A criminal takes over the identity of a trucking company that has recently shut down. The fraudster uses the defunct company’s DOT number and represents himself as a representative of that company.
- Double-Brokering. A load is transferred from one freight broker to another without the knowledge or consent of the shipper. The practice is illegal, and often results in higher costs and loss of visibility/accountability.
- Technology-based tools used to circumvent security protection initiatives. This includes the use of “sniffer” devices that detect GPS technology embedded within a trailer.
- Cyberattacks can come in many forms that include:
1. Phishing. A criminal, pretending to be a carrier, reaches out to a business for payment, or claims to want to remit payment. A link is sent to the unsuspecting victim in an attempt to install malware that can infect a company’s system and allow access to sensitive data.
2. Hacking/Password theft. By stealing passwords from mobile device users, criminals gain unauthorized entry into a business’s network and access to pickup and delivery information. - Pilferage. Pilferage refers to thefts of partial shipments and is actually more common than thefts of full trailers.
- Insider theft. Instances in which employees – either knowingly or unwittingly — have a hand in enabling shipment theft are on the increase. This can involve everything from sloppy computer habits, to leaving a warehouse door open or gate unlocked, to sharing shipment information with a nefarious outsider.
Cargo theft is at an all-time high. Learn how to protect your shipments. Download our whitepaper
Although it may seem that criminals have the upper hand, the good guys are most certainly fighting back. But success requires a unified effort in which all supply chain partners commit to security-focused protocols and best practices. As your business considers its own security protocols, a few best practices must include:
Understand your internal points of vulnerability
While it may seem obvious, a business should identify all points at which its shipments may be at risk. Conduct a thorough review and ask detailed questions.
- When was the last time your security protocols were updated, or upgrades made to warehouse or manufacturing facility security systems?
- How effective is your organization at vetting employees? How thorough are your background check processes?
- How many people in your organization have access to your shipment’s logistics schedules – and how many truly need that information?
The importance of this information cannot be overstated – research by Capterra found that 33% of cargo thefts involved employee collusion, with 30% caused by nefarious vendor actions.
Establish internal security protocols
Make sure employees have a clear understanding of their role in prioritizing security. Employees should receive regular training and written updates on everything from computer/IT protocols, to mandatory facility procedures, to maintaining confidentiality about all business-related matters.
Map your supply chain
After you understand your internal points of vulnerability, take a look at possible lapses among your suppliers and partners. Make a list of every entity – big and small – that will either have direct involvement with your shipments, or information about their movements. Ensure that each company has reputable security processes in place, that include extensive employee vetting processes and appropriate protocols.
When it comes to logistics, partner with care
Few supply chain partners are as intricately involved in shipment movements as a logistics provider. A logistics company will, of course, have complete insight into every pickup and delivery, information about storage locations, access to a business’s technology system, and specific details about shipment contents. Failing to thoroughly vet a logistics partner could expose a shipper to unacceptable levels of risk, with potentially disastrous consequences. A reputable logistics provider will expect to be thoroughly vetted and happily provide information about their internal security protocols. A few things to look for though, should include:
- Company credentials – make sure the company is legitimate and that key personnel are who they claim to be.
- Anti-theft protocols – review the company’s investments in security devices including trailer/warehouse locks, yard lighting systems, closed circuit cameras, security personnel, warehouse access, and technology-based security systems.
- Scope of coverage. Does the logistics company deliver to the geographic regions to which your shipments are headed? If not, will shipments be handed off to a third party, perhaps one that doesn’t prioritize security?
- Extensive service options. Does the company’s proposed service plan give you peace of mind that your shipment will arrive safely at its final destination? Or do you feel like you’re taking a “let’s hope for the best” chance that things will work out? A security-focused company will offer a range of specialized services that prioritize shipment security through every step of the logistics journey. This may include expedited air or courier services that ensure time-definite deliveries, minimal delivery hand-offs, 24/7 visibility, inside deliveries, and complete chain of custody.
- Record of success. A security-focused logistics company will have a minimal number of claims filed by customers and be proud to share that information with you. If a potential provider seems reluctant to discuss claims activity, there’s probably a reason why.
- Alignment with International Security Standards. The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) is the agency responsible for developing internationally accepted supply chain standards to “tackle the multi-billion-dollar problem of cargo thefts from supply chains.” TAPA recommendations extend far into the logistics process and set standards for warehouse/distribution center/yard security, fleet security, and cyber security. TAPA certification is regarded as the gold standard for logistics providers, carriers, and other providers, and demonstrates that a company is serious about loss prevention.
Shipment theft is big business, and a serious pain point for businesses. But by identifying and addressing your vulnerabilities, you can minimize your business’s risk. To learn more, access our whitepaper, “How Safe are your Shipments? Theft, Risk, and the Steps you Can Take to Prioritize Loss Prevention.”
The whitepaper offers extensive information about current trends in cargo theft, including criminals’ increasingly sophisticated tactics. Readers will also learn about Purolator’s extensive efforts to prioritize shipment security. These efforts include investments in “best in class” technology systems and devices, robust employee training and internal security protocols, extensive service options, extensive geographic reach, and affiliations with international standards organizations including TAPA.
With Purolator at the helm, business can have peace of mind that shipments will travel safely and securely, and arrive on time, every time.