According to the FBI, cargo theft costs between $15 billion and $30 billion per year, and cases are on the rise. As a result, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has decided to survey trucking industry stakeholders to gain more data on these criminal incidents.

Understandably, some trucking companies don’t want to share internal data that shows their companies are at risk or have suffered losses. Nonetheless, a body of valuable and actionable information is crucial to fighting this growing problem.

In the meantime, here are some tips for drivers and trucking companies looking to reduce the chances of being victimized by cargo criminals:

1. Strengthen Security Protocols: A strong security protocol is one of the best lines of defense against cargo theft. This involves using GPS tracking devices to keep an eye on cargo in real time and identify any illicit movement right away. Adding electronic locks and security seals to trailers can also discourage criminals by increasing the difficulty of unauthorized access.

2. Driver Education and Tactics: The trucking industry is one with high turnover. It’s essential to teach drivers security awareness, especially the specifics regarding any of the above protocols that are unique to individual trucking companies and shippers/receivers. New drivers should be educated not to pull over at remote or dangerous locations, especially after hours.

3. Secure Parking Facilities: At Class A Drivers, we have long advocated for more public funds to go to build secure parking areas for truck drivers. This is a public good that will end up saving money in the long run. The fairly-recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a good start, but more needs to be done to ensure that any driver doing their part for the American economy has a safe, secure place for themselves and their cargo. Additionally, trucking companies and drivers should plan routes with existing safe parking lots that have entry points that are controlled, security guards on duty, and surveillance cameras.

4. Keep Accurate Records: Carefully documenting the contents of shipments and cargo will help with recovery as well as prevention. Thorough documentation aids in the identification of stolen goods provides critical data in case law enforcement needs to recover these items. For prevention, drivers should always receive proper verification when dealing with shippers/receivers, as cargo theft often happens via impersonation.

5. Work Together with Law Enforcement: Participating in industry security initiatives and fostering close ties with the local police force can help increase the overall efficacy of theft prevention tactics. Law enforcement organizations frequently offer information and materials to support cargo security initiatives.

Being victimized by a cargo thief is not the fault of the truck driver or company. It is the ultimately fault of the thief. Nonetheless, we hope these tactics and strategies will help defend against the growing trend of theft.