Cargo theft up 59% in third quarter

Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Nov. 10, 2023:

In total, thieves stole over $31.1 million in shipments in the third quarter of 2023.CargoNetCargo theft recording firm CargoNet reported Thursday that it recorded 692 events across the United States and Canada in the third quarter of 2023, a 59% increase when compared to the same period in 2022.

Like in the second quarter of 2023, much of the increase is due to ongoing shipment misdirection attacks, a kind of strategic cargo theft in which thieves use stolen motor carrier and logistics broker identities to obtain freight and misdirect it from the intended receiver so they can steal it.

In total, thieves stole over $31.1 million in shipments in the third quarter of 2023.

During that period, reported thefts increased in every event category. Documented strategic cargo theft events increased 430% year-over-year, and theft of a loaded conveyance such as a full trailer increased 4% year-over-year. These kinds of thefts were most common in California, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Illinois.

[Related: Cargo theft is skyrocketing. Why is theft on the rise and what strategies are thieves using?]