Cargo, truck, and trailer theft is on the rise. Data from Verisk, an insurance solutions provider, shows that cargo theft reached an all-time high in 2023 but estimates cargo and truck/trailer theft is even more prevalent in 2024. This could be due to today’s inflated prices, especially when it comes to food. We saw a similar pattern of cargo theft in 2008 during the financial downturn.
Thieves are, unfortunately, getting smarter and better at using technology to pilfer goods and trick shippers, brokers, and carriers to steal their freight. Now, drivers like you have to worry about having your trucks and trailers stolen on the road.
Is there anything worse?
As a result, you can be down for weeks while you wait for authorities to locate your truck/trailer or you have to find a new truck/trailer to run with. It all means a lot of downtime and lost revenue for you.
So what can you do?
First, you need to understand what it is and where it happens. Then it’s time to adopt some new strategies so you can protect yourself, your freight, and your truck/trailer.
The good news? We’ve gone through this before at Anderson Trucking Service (not such great news for us), so we can help guide you through it.
- What is cargo theft?
- Where does cargo/truck/trailer theft happen most?
- How to prevent cargo theft
- What to do if it happens to you
What is Cargo Theft?
Cargo theft is the process of stealing goods that are part of a commercial shipment. It can happen directly from a vehicle or from warehouses and distribution facilities themselves. We’re also seeing empty trailers and trucks being stolen.
Most often, we’re seeing cargo theft happen with loaded trailers stolen from unsecured areas (direct theft) or fraudulent businesses stealing loads before drivers can even pick them up. However, we see it happen in a variety of other ways too, with corrupt company employees facilitating the theft or pilfering of goods.
So why do they do it? Typically, it’s for money. People may be stealing out of necessity or opportunity and they immediately turn around to sell the goods on the black market to turn a huge profit.
No matter what you’re buying these days, things are expensive. It probably won’t come as any surprise to you that the top targets are refrigerated trailers and dry van trailers hauling food and beverage loads, household goods, and electronics. There’s particular interest in non-alcoholic beverages like energy drinks, major appliances, and computer electronics. However, empty open-deck trailers are being stolen as well.
Related: Preventing truck driver identity theft and fuel card fraud
Where is Cargo Theft Most Common?
There are several hot spots for cargo and truck/trailer theft across the country, including in California, Texas, Florida, and Illinois. Theft is most prevalent near freight hubs, large cities, ports, retail parking lots, and warehouses and distribution centers. Truck stops are obviously a target as well.
Unfortunately, though, cargo theft can happen anywhere. We’ve seen it happen to our fleet in unsecured lots, on random streets, and at truck stops. Usually, places that aren’t secure and are off the beaten path can make you more susceptible to theft.
Cargo theft risk usually increases during the holidays or during periods of extended business closures. Why? Not only does the demand for desirable goods increase, but with businesses closed, loaded trailers may be parked longer.
How to Prevent Cargo and Truck/Trailer Theft
Cargo and truck/trailer theft can be and feel devastating. Not only can it feel like a huge invasion of privacy, but it can also cost you a good chunk of money. So what can you do to prevent it?
For starters, check out these tips!
Park in Secured, Well-Lit Areas
Always, always, always park in secured lots. A lot is considered secure if it’s gated, there are working cameras, and the cameras are pointed at the trucks. Check with staff members to make sure video surveillance equipment is actually working. Paid parking spots also tend to offer more safety.
It also matters what part of the lot you’re in. If you park in a dark part of the lot away from lights and cameras, you could be putting your freight at risk.
You should never park in a random area, whether it’s an abandoned lot, a dark street, or a friend’s cousin’s stepmother’s place. In other words, be mindful of popular thieving spots and avoid them if at all possible.
Stay Hooked Up to Your Trailer
To avoid the risk of having a trailer stolen, keep the trailer hooked to your tractor at all times — it’s safer that way. This makes it much more difficult for people to steal the freight or the trailer itself. Even if you’re going to take personal conveyance time to grab groceries, it’s ideal to keep your tractor and trailer connected.
Thieves might even try to steal your tractor too — proceeding to scrape the VIN off and take it to a chop shop to sell the parts. It’ll be more challenging to steal the tractor itself with a load behind it.
Lock Up Your Tractor and Trailer
Secure trailers with a combination of barrier seals and rear door locks. Secure your tractor with air cuff locks and steering column locks.
It’s tempting to assume that nothing will happen to your freight while you’re in the tractor, but that’s simply not true. Thieves are stealthy and can steal freight while you’re sleeping. If you’re a deep sleeper or you have an auxiliary power unit (APU) or generator running, it can drown out the sound of people outside your sleeper.
Everyone thinks theft won’t happen to them until it does. Be proactive by locking your stuff up.
It’s less common for open-deck freight to be stolen — unless the thief has the right equipment, it’s a little difficult to take oversized, heavy construction machinery and the like from a trailer — but you should still make sure you’re properly securing your cargo. More often, thieves will steal open-deck trailers themselves.
Trip Plan
It might sound like an odd tip, but trip planning is an essential part of avoiding cargo and truck/trailer theft. When you effectively trip plan, you aren’t scrambling to find a place to park and then resorting to unsecured lots, abandoned streets, and off-ramps.
If you’ve made a good trip plan, you’ll have given yourself plenty of time to find parking and you’ll have a few safe options to choose from. You’ll also be able to plan your stops in safer areas of the country. Rather than stopping for the night in a high-theft area, you can plan safe stopping points.
If you’re unable to avoid high-risk areas, be extra vigilant.
Report Suspicious Behavior
If you notice suspicious behavior at the truck stop, report it to the truck stop manager or call a local non-emergency line. It doesn’t hurt to bring it up if something seems suspicious and it’s always good to help other drivers when you can.
What to Do if Cargo Theft Happens to You
Unless you’re in immediate danger, your first call after noticing cargo theft or truck/trailer theft should be to your dispatcher or driver manager (if you’re an owner-operator, this might not be an option for you).
Together, you’ll work to figure out what might have happened and where the freight or truck/trailer could be. For instance, if your tractor and trailer are missing, call local authorities and local impound lots to see if your truck was impounded, not stolen.
In the worst-case scenario, if your freight was stolen, you’ll have to call law enforcement to report the cargo theft. The next step will be to check your insurance and determine what might be covered.
Protect Yourself and Your Freight
Cargo theft is a growing problem that can have serious financial consequences for drivers and carriers alike. Unfortunately, thieves are becoming more sophisticated, making it even more important for you to stay vigilant and proactive.
While there’s no way to guarantee it won’t happen, taking steps like parking in secure areas, staying connected to your trailer, using proper locks, and trip planning can go a long way in protecting your livelihood.
At ATS, we’ve seen the impact of cargo theft and truck/trailer theft firsthand and understand the challenges it brings. Remember, staying alert and reporting suspicious activity can make a big difference. By following these strategies, you can help protect your freight, avoid unnecessary downtime, and keep rolling safely.
If you do find yourself a victim of theft, know that support is available — don’t hesitate to reach out to your dispatcher or local authorities for help. Stay safe, plan ahead, and keep your guard up to protect what’s yours.
Listen to our podcast, Diesel Diaries, to learn more about cargo theft.
And if you’re looking for personal safety tips while you’re on the road, we’ve got you covered with 16 personal safety tips.