What happened
Verisk CargoNet’s Sept. 4 advisory analyzed 273 cargo-theft incidents reported during the Thursday-before through Wednesday-after Labor Day periods from 2021 through 2025. Estimated commodity value was about $31.8 million. The annual count increased from 33 incidents in 2021 to 56 in 2025, a 70% rise. Thursday, Friday, Tuesday and Wednesday produced 194 incidents—71% of the five-year total—so risk does not end when the holiday Monday is over.
What drivers should do
CargoNet describes two overlapping threats: loaded freight sitting during closures and identity-based fraud inside channels a broker or shipper normally trusts. Criminals may compromise carrier accounts, email, business phone systems or compliance-platform credentials, then change pickup or delivery instructions after a legitimate carrier has possession. Before accepting any last-minute change, stop and call a previously verified contact. Confirm the facility, address, appointment, driver, tractor, trailer, seal and pickup number through an independent channel; use multifactor authentication and remove access for former workers.
Why this matters to our community
Drivers should use approved secure parking, keep the tractor and trailer locked, avoid posting load or location details and follow scheduled check-ins. Dispatch should preserve messages, login alerts, documents and GPS data. If a theft or fraudulent redirection is suspected, prioritize personal safety, do not confront anyone, contact 911 or local police, then promptly notify the carrier, broker, shipper, insurer and CargoNet at 1-888-595-CNET (2638). Useful English terms include identity-based theft, compromised account, shipment misdirection, verified contact, delivery instruction, seal number and incident report.