Over the last five years, CargoNet has recorded 118 cargo theft incidents, with an average shipment value of $183,891 over the Thanksgiving holiday period.
Most of these incidents occurred in parking lots, at warehouses, and at truck stops. This time of year, they want to remind the trucking industry and others involved in supply chain logistics that holiday breaks create several opportunities for cargo thieves to target unattended vehicles, shipments and warehouses.
The data gathered by CargoNet’s Command Center has been thoroughly analyzed to help industry professionals mitigate theft risk. Here’s what you need to know.
The most frequent reports of theft tend to occur on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Theft events were most common when the victim parked their property in large parking lots, like that of a big box store, and were reported in the highest numbers in the following locations: San Bernadino County, CA, Cook County, IL, Los Angeles County, CA, and Fulton County, GA.
While a wide variety of goods were targeted in previous years, shipments that include televisions, major appliances, vehicle tires, and alcoholic beverages seemed to be targeted in the highest numbers.
According to the data, logistics brokers should be on high alert for identity fraud and cargo theft schemes during this time, as these tactics have been occurring frequently, especially for shipments departing Southern California.
Industry professionals can protect against trailer burglaries and theft of loaded trailers by arranging for same-day delivery of short haul shipments, embedding trackers in shipments and on vehicles, and using high security locks. Drivers should also be on the lookout for any vehicles that appear to be following them from the origin point.
Organizations tendering shipments over the internet should verify all details of all transactions prior to accepting the bid.
During the holiday, drivers should not leave their vehicles or shipments unattended or in unsecured locations within 250 miles of pickup, when at all possible. If it’s necessary to leave your truck unattended, check on it as frequently as possible.
On average, it took about a day for victims to notice that their property had been stolen, but his increased to two days if the property was left unattended the day before Thanksgiving.
