Cargo thefts across the U.S. and Canada saw a sharp rise in the third quarter of 2024, with 776 theft events reported, representing a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2023, according to a new report from CargoNet. The total value of stolen goods in the third quarter of the year exceeded $39 million.

Despite a slight 1.6% decrease in incidents compared to the second quarter of 2024, the gap is expected to close as delayed reports come in, CargoNet said. The report added that organized crime groups continue to drive the increase in cargo theft turning to increasingly sophisticated tactics of strategic nature, that typically involve some form of document fraud, identity theft, and intent to steal the property they are being entrusted to transport.

Phishing, evasion schemes, purchased authorities

Organized crime groups have intensified efforts to gain unauthorized access to motor carriers’ official email accounts. These compromised accounts are then used to bid on shipments and bypass compliance checks. This method has grown in popularity in response to much of the industry instituting policies that rate confirmation documents should only be sent to official emails.

Enhanced evasion techniques were also reported, with thieves switching licence plates, driver’s licences, and truck numbers between each pickup to avoid detection. These tactics allow criminals to stage multiple thefts before their activities are discovered.

Previously centered around recently purchased authorities in California, organized crime groups are now primarily interested in authorities in states not thought to be high-risk for cargo theft, after many companies have instituted policies that they will not accept new carriers from the state of California into their network.

New commodities targeted

Targeted commodities have shifted as well, with solar panels, motor oils, and energy drinks seeing a decline in thefts, while items like footwear, computers, high-end audio systems, and hard liquor have become more attractive to thieves.

CargoNet warns that these trends are likely to continue into the final quarter of 2024 as theft crews adapt to evade compliance checks and law enforcement efforts.