In today’s fiercely competitive logistics landscape, safeguarding your cargo from theft is not just a priority; it’s a necessity. The threat of cargo theft looms large in our industry, capable of inflicting multimillion-dollar losses and disrupting entire supply chains. One of the most prevalent methods is freight fraud, a cunning ploy where criminals pose as legitimate carriers to make off with your valuable goods.
CargoNet, whom Spot recently partnered with, has reported a significant increase in both the amount of theft and the value of the cargo being stolen:
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- Overall Theft Increase: Cargo theft is on the rise. In 2023, CargoNet recorded a significant increase of 59% in theft events compared to 2022 https://www.cargonet.com/cargo-theft-data/. This trend continued into the first quarter of 2024, with a 46% increase compared to the same period in 2023 https://www.cargonet.com/cargo-theft-data/.
- High-Value Targets: Thieves are targeting high-value cargo. The average value of a stolen shipment in the second quarter of 2023 reached $260,703, a nearly $100,000 increase from the previous year https://www.cargonet.com/cargo-theft-data/.
At Spot, we don’t just understand the importance of strategic cargo theft prevention. We live it. Our commitment to you is unwavering, and we strive to maintain the high level of service you expect by implementing robust security measures to mitigate these risks effectively. In fact,
Here’s just a small example of how Spot combats freight fraud and safeguards your cargo:
Identifying Red Flags:
At Spot, our employees are trained to spot and flag suspicious activities often associated with freight fraud. Below are some of the tell-tale signs that Spot and you can look out for:
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- Inconsistent Carrier Information: Does the carrier’s email domain differ from FMSCA registration? Does it lack a professional format (e.g., not ending in “@companyname.com“)?
- Unusual Communication: Does the carrier request rate confirmations to be sent to non-company emails? Do they ask to know your registered email address with us?
- Mismatched Details: Does the FMSCA carrier contact information differ from what they provide?
- Urgency and Vagueness: Does the carrier call for immediate pickup without reference numbers? Does the driver have a suspicious phone number (e.g., VOIP)?
- Financial Requests: Does the carrier pressure you to make quick payments or fuel advances upfront?
- Suspicious Carrier Behavior: Are there multiple carrier MC numbers involved? Have they recently changed their contact information on Carrier411?
Spot is committed to providing a secure and reliable platform for your logistics needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you safeguard your cargo and achieve peace of mind.