ports

Cargo Theft Threat Remains 'High and Rising' Despite First Year-Over-Year Decline Since 2021

U.S. cargo theft declined 6% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2026, marking the first annual decrease since 2021. The period covered 574 incidents—an average of 6.4 incidents per day. However, security specialists warn the improvement masks a troubling shift in criminal tactics. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2025, incidents fell 25%—significantly below the 34% seasonal decline recorded in the same period a year earlier. Organized criminal groups are increasingly deploying sophisticated fraud-based schemes targeting high-value shipments. Deceptive pick-up thefts, where criminals use fake identities and forged credentials to fraudulently collect freight, surged 31% year-over-year and now account for 10% of all incidents. California reported nearly half of these cases, with Illinois, Indiana, and New Jersey emerging as notable hotspots. Security analysts say the growth in fraud infrastructure signals deepening criminal organization.