Breaking

Freight Theft Losses Surge Despite Drop in Reported Incidents

Cargo theft reporting fell roughly 25% in the second quarter of 2026, yet losses more than doubled to $304.6 million. Average theft values climbed to $564,000 per incident, with industry data suggesting only about 10% of thefts get reported. The divergence reflects a fundamental shift in criminal tactics as thieves move toward high-value, strategically targeted loads rather than opportunistic thefts. Criminals are exploiting increasingly accessible tools for impersonation, including counterfeit license plates, carrier decals, and forged credentials. Email compromise remains a primary attack vector, with bad actors purchasing business account access and sending fraudulent pickup instructions from legitimate inboxes. The transition toward deception-based fraud over traditional cargo theft presents growing challenges for brokers and shippers entering the peak season quarter.