Best Practices for Preventing Cargo Theft (2024)

Best Practices for Preventing Cargo Theft (1)

Theft is a crime of opportunity. Therefore, the more accessible the cargo, the more vulnerable it is to theft. Situational awareness is crucial to deter cargo theft.

How much cargo is estimated stolen every year?

According to the FBI, in 2019, there was a total value of $139,667,562 in cargo stolen in the United States. Of that, only $3,848,816 (2.8%) was recovered by law enforcement. The FBI lists the top three types of stolen property in 2019 as:

  • Recordings
  • Consumable goods
  • Computer hardware and software

The most recovered property type was aircraft parts/accessories, at 94.3% recovered. According to the statistics, the average theft is valued at $177,920.

Where is cargo theft most common?

The most common areas where cargo thefts occur are:

  • Parking lots
  • Commercial buildings
  • Highways
  • Truck stops
  • Unsecured yards

Tennessee leads the way with the most cargo thefts in 2019, followed by Texas, Florida and Michigan.

When is cargo theft most likely to occur?

Most thefts occur between Friday and Sunday, with frequency spikes over holidays.

How do you mitigate the occurrence and impact of cargo theft?

There are several best practices that drivers can use to help avoid being involved in a cargo theft:

  1. Include cargo security in your pre-trip inspection.
  2. Where you park is important. Use your surroundings to better secure your trailer, such as backing up against fencing, building, other trailers, etc. Park in well-lit, heavily traveled areas and look for security cameras.
  3. Don’t discuss your load or where you are going with anyone who does not need to know.
  4. If you think you are being followed, slow down and allow the vehicle to pass you. If that doesn’t work, get off at an exit that offers a safe haven to see if the vehicle follows. Call local law enforcement and report the incident if you are still suspicious. Then call your supervisor and find a safe and secure area to park.
  5. Try to have enough hours and fuel to drive several hours after initial pick-up before stopping to deter thieves from targeting your load.
  6. Use theft deterrent devices to help secure your freight.
  7. If your vehicle has to be left unattended, make it as short as possible; lock it up and take the keys.
  8. When you return to the truck, scan the area for suspicious persons or vehicles and adjust to the situation.
  9. Be aware and follow any specific company policies and procedures about security and preventing cargo theft.
Best Practices for Preventing Cargo Theft (2024)

FAQs

What is the best method to prevent cargo theft? ›

Taking steps to prevent cargo theft
  • Company security processes and procedures,
  • Usage of hard security devices, such as locks and seals,
  • Leveraging appropriate technology,
  • Reinforcing cyber-security to prevent access to key information.

Which of the following strategies can help prevent cargo theft? ›

Use routing technology to create a delivery course that intentionally avoids high-risk areas known for cargo theft. Paired with telematics and GPS technology, fleet managers can monitor vehicles to ensure they adhere to planned routes and schedules as well as discern any suspicious patterns from collected data.

What are the preventive measures against theft? ›

When you leave your room or office, even for a moment, always keep your doors and windows locked. Do not prop open or disengage the locking system on the door or windows. Never leave your purse, wallet, book bag, laptop, cell phone, earbuds, or other property unattended even for a moment in a public setting.

How do you ensure cargo security? ›

How to Ensure Cargo Security
  1. Find Reliable, Trusted Partners. Often, shippers choose freight brokers or carriers based on the lowest freight rate they offer. ...
  2. Cargo Theft Policy and Staff Training. ...
  3. Verify Contact Information. ...
  4. Keep Cargo Moving. ...
  5. Check The Truck and The Driver. ...
  6. Focus on “Hot Times”. ...
  7. Insurance Coverage.

What are the 3 different methods of securing cargo? ›

Securing of cargo can be made by any or in combination of the following methods:
  • Blocking. Examples of blocking: front wall, wedges, dunnage bags, chocks, and beams.
  • Lashings. Examples of lashings are web lashings, load binders with chain and fixed winches. ...
  • Locking.

What is the general rule for securing a cargo? ›

Cargo stowed in containers must be secured on all sides to prevent shifting, in particular towards the door. Spaces between packages and/or container walls must be filled. Secure the cargo by using the lashing points provided on the top and bottom side rails and on the corner posts.

What is one of the simplest ways to secure your cargo? ›

Tips for Securing Your Cargo Properly

Tie it down with rope, netting or straps. Tie large objects directly to your vehicle or trailer. Consider covering the entire load with a sturdy tarp or netting.

What is strategic cargo theft? ›

Strategic cargo theft involves thieves tricking companies into handing over their freight after a fraudulent act has occurred. Examples include: Fictitious Pickups: These incidents occur when unauthorized individuals impersonate legitimate carriers to pick up cargo shipments.

Which of the following is the best way to secure cargo? ›

Best Practices for Securing Cargo

Use bungee cords and ratchet tie-downs for large items, fastening them directly to your vehicle or trailer. Use a cargo net for smaller, variable-sized items. Stack lighter items on lower and heavier items on top to keep loads stable.

What 6 steps can be taken to prevent theft? ›

Here are six ways to lower your risk of burglary and theft.
  1. Install an alarm system. ...
  2. Check every entry point when leaving your building or work vehicle. ...
  3. Keep track of keys. ...
  4. Perform background checks. ...
  5. Install CCTV cameras. ...
  6. Evaluate landscaping and outdoor features.
Feb 8, 2023

What are 5 measures to enhance security in order to prevent burglary? ›

Check your home for security weaknesses and correct them
  • Install simple security devices. ...
  • Invest in a burglar alarm. ...
  • Invest in security cameras. ...
  • Trade a bit of privacy for added security. ...
  • Shine a light. ...
  • Keep valuables out of easy sight.

How to mitigate theft risk? ›

Find a buddy.
  1. Find a buddy. Whenever possible, don't walk alone. ...
  2. When walking alone, skip using headphones or taking phone calls. Robbers often target people they notice are distracted or unaware of their surroundings.
  3. Don't walk alone at night. ...
  4. Stay aware of your surroundings. ...
  5. Avoid unlit or deserted areas.

How do you mitigate cargo theft? ›

There are several best practices that drivers can use to help avoid being involved in a cargo theft: Include cargo security in your pre-trip inspection. Where you park is important. Use your surroundings to better secure your trailer, such as backing up against fencing, building, other trailers, etc.

What are the points to remember while securing cargo? ›

7 Checkpoints while securing cargo
  • Prioritize securement of bulky and heavy units. ...
  • Consolidate units into one block. ...
  • Utilize permanent securing points. ...
  • Secure independent lashings to strong points. ...
  • Trim lashings for improved hold. ...
  • Maintain equal tension in multiple lashings. ...
  • Regularly check and tighten cargo lashings.

What is cargo security management? ›

Cargo security is the security detail assigned to protect and observe a cargo shipment from loading to delivery. The goal of cargo security is to ensure freight is inspected at loading, and safely gets to the delivery point. This can be the same for all mediums – sea, air, and land.

What is the best method for cargo securement? ›

Cargo must be firmly immobilized or secured on or within a vehicle by structures of adequate strength, dunnage (loose materials used to support and protect cargo) or dunnage bags (inflatable bags intended to fill space between articles of cargo or between cargo and the wall of the vehicle), shoring bars, tiedowns or a ...

How do I stop my shipping container from being stolen? ›

That is why you should focus on adding heavy-duty and anti-tamper locks to your door. Things such as crossbar locks and container lockboxes are designed to make it extremely difficult for thieves to use cutting tools to break into your unit.

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