As your business grows and you start shipping to more places, safeguarding your cargo gets tougher. With so many goods moving around, the chances of theft are higher than ever. It’s not just about stolen products; it’s about delayed deliveries, lost money, and unhappy customers. Maybe you’ve heard stories or even faced issues yourself. The reality is that cargo theft is on the rise, and every seller needs to take it seriously. You’ve worked hard to build your business; now’s the time to protect it. Let’s dive into cargo fraud and the signs you should look for.
Why is cargo theft becoming difficult to ignore?
Cargo crime is becoming a bigger problem for sellers due to various reasons:
- More Goods Being Shipped: With the rise in online shopping, more products are being transported. This increase gives thieves more chances to steal goods during transit.
- Smarter Thieves: Criminals use clever tricks, like pretending to be legitimate trucking companies or creating fake documents, to deceive businesses and steal shipments.
- High-Value Targets: Thieves are attracted to high-value items such as electronics, luxury goods, and alcohol because they can be easily sold for a high price.
- Lack of Secure Parking: There aren’t enough safe places for truck drivers to park and rest, making parked trucks easy targets for theft, especially in known problem areas.
- Complex Supply Chains: Today’s supply chains involve many steps and parties, which can create weak spots that thieves exploit to intercept or steal goods.
How much has cargo fraud grown?
Cargo fraud is becoming difficult to ignore because it’s happening more often and in smarter ways. As a seller, your shipments are at more risk than before. CargoNet reported 925 cargo thefts in early 2024. This is 46% more than in early 2023 and 10% more than at the end of 2023. Only USD 76 million was officially reported, but the real loss may be around USD 154.6 million, including cases with missing value details.
Thieves aren’t just stealing from parked trucks now. Some are jumping onto moving trucks to grab the goods. Others pretend to be delivery companies and trick people into giving them shipments.
They mostly steal expensive items like electronics, alcohol, and luxury goods. With more online shopping, more goods are being shipped, giving thieves more chances to steal. These thefts don’t just cause money loss; they can also cause customers to lose trust.
How scammers use load boards to trick carriers?
Scammers use load boards to fool you. They make fake profiles using real company names. These profiles look real, but they’re not. Once they get a load, they disappear with it. Sometimes, they post fake loads. They trick you into paying counterfeit fees or sharing your personal information and vanish.
In other cases, they pretend to be brokers. They collect money and then run away. You might even do the work but never get paid. The money might not come at all, or the payment might bounce.
There’s also double brokering. This happens when a scammer gets a load and passes it to someone else without permission. They take the money but don’t move the freight themselves, leaving the second carrier unpaid and confused. This kind of fraud has grown fast, especially with more deals happening online and fewer checks in place.
Scammers also send fake emails or create websites resembling real load boards. They do this to steal your login details and use them to take loads or commit more fraud. One example was a scam on the DAT load board, where fake emails tricked carriers into sharing passwords. All these tricks lead to huge losses. You can lose time, money, and trust. Even your business reputation can take a hit.
How to identify a cargo theft?
As a seller, you must be extra careful when dealing with unknown carriers or brokers. Scammers are smart. But if you pay attention to a few simple signs, you can avoid falling into their trap. Here’s what you should look for:
- Rates that seem too good to be true: If someone offers a rate way higher or lower than others, it could be a trick. Scammers do this to grab your attention fast. Always compare with market rates before agreeing.
- Not sharing full details: If the person avoids giving clear pickup or delivery locations, timings, or load information, that’s a red flag. A genuine carrier or broker will always be open with the details.
- Asking you to hurry: If you’re being rushed to decide or confirm a load without any time to check properly, be alert. Scammers use urgency to stop you from verifying anything.
- Upfront payments: Be very careful if someone asks for money before doing any work. This is a common trick that scammers use. Once they get the money, they vanish.
- Confusing or unclear answers: If the person can’t answer your questions directly or keeps changing the topic, it could mean they’re hiding something.
- Weird payment requests: If they want to pay through unknown apps or ask for cash transfers, it’s better to stop immediately. Always choose safe and trackable payment methods.
- Caller ID may be fake: Just because the number looks familiar or official doesn’t mean it’s real. Scammers use fake caller IDs to look trustworthy. Always check the company name, phone number, and email by doing a quick online search.
- Double-check everything: If anything feels off, talk to someone you trust in the industry and get a second opinion before proceeding.
Remembering these points, you can spot scams early and avoid significant losses. It’s better to pause and verify than rush and regret.
Stay Safe with Shiprocket: Smart Shipping, Scam-Free Deliveries
If you’re looking to ship heavy or bulk orders for your business, Shiprocket Cargo gives you an easy and smart way. Everything happens on one platform, so you don’t have to deal with too many tools or websites. You can send your shipments to over 24,000 pin codes across India, and the system helps you pick the best courier using AI suggestions. This means your order will arrive faster and at a lower cost. You can also track your shipments in real time, from when it’s picked up until it gets delivered.
You can manage everything here, whether you’re sending Full Truck Loads, Partial Truck Loads, or even air cargo. The panel also helps with off-hours shipping, ERP integrations, and live updates through email and SMS. You don’t need to be a tech expert to use it. Just add your shipment, choose a courier, and ship. It’s simple and fast. If there’s ever an issue, you get 24×7 support. This makes it easier to run your business and keep your customers happy.
You can also use Shiprocket’s AI-powered tool called Sense. This tool checks customer addresses before shipping so your orders reach the right place. It also reduces fake orders and return-to-origin (RTO) problems. This means fewer losses and more successful deliveries for your business.
Whether you are shipping locally or to another country, Shiprocket makes it easy, safe, and scam-free. All the tools are built to protect your business and help you grow without worrying about delivery problems. If you want peace of mind while shipping and protect your business from fraud or delays, Shiprocket gives you everything you need in one place.
Conclusion
Cargo theft is rising, but simple steps can help protect your supply chain. Start by choosing trusted carriers and securing high-risk routes. Real-time tracking, proper packaging, and strong documentation add extra safety. Keep your staff trained to spot red flags and follow secure loading practices.
Technology like GPS and surveillance also helps prevent theft. Even small changes, like verifying delivery details and limiting access to cargo data, can make a big difference. You can reduce risks and keep your shipments safe by staying alert and prepared. A secure supply chain means fewer losses and better peace of mind.
