Online Leadership Series: Strategies to Combat Cargo Theft-Strategies to Combat Cargo Theft Course

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Scott Cornell’s webinar explained that cargo theft has reached a “new normal,” with CargoNet reporting a record 3,594 incidents in 2025. He estimates the figures capture only a fraction of actual thefts. California remains the leading hotspot, while theft is spreading nationwide as strategic scams let criminals target loads remotely.

Cornell distinguishes <strong>straight theft</strong>—physically stealing trucks, trailers, or freight—from <strong>strategic theft</strong>, which uses deception, including double-brokering scams, carrier identity theft, fraudulent MC numbers, phishing, and fictitious pickups. Strategic theft has surged, but straight theft still accounts for most reported losses affecting truckload carriers. Food and beverage, household goods, and electronics are major commodity categories; specific targets include tires, beverages, meat and seafood, and copper. Risk also varies by lane and location.

He urged carriers to treat high-target commodities—not just high-value freight—as risks, educate drivers and staff, verify carriers and drivers, and investigate unexpected route changes, cross-dock requests, breakdown claims, and delivery confirmations. Other safeguards include checking suspicious images and emails, inspecting equipment and seals, using tracking and high-security locks, and planning safer stops in known hotspots. Drivers, he emphasized, are a crucial first line of defense.

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Keywords

cargo theft

strategic theft

straight theft

CargoNet

double-brokering scams

carrier identity theft

high-target commodities

truckload carriers

cargo security