Tips to Prevent Cargo Theft

So, what can you do to prevent cargo theft — or at least minimize the risk? Listen to what the statistics above are telling you: Keep the cargo moving. The longer a loaded trailer or container sits unattended, the higher the risk for theft. You should define limits on how long a loaded trailer or container can remain unattended under different circumstances. And you should collect data on where (and for how long) loaded trailers/containers sit along your supply chain to understand where you face the greatest risk for cargo theft. Just like you should “staple yourself to an order,” you should “strap yourself to a trailer” to find the inefficiencies in your transportation and delivery/receiving processes. Focus on the “hot spots” and “hot times.” As noted earlier, cargo theft is highly concentrated in just six states, and if you drill down further, in certain cities, neighborhoods, and truck stops and other parking areas. Also, thefts occur more frequently on weekends (especially Saturdays) and they spike during holiday periods. So, focus your security efforts in the places and times they are most likely to occur. Know who you are working with. Having your cargo stolen from an unattended lot is one thing, but getting deceived by a thief in broad daylight because you didn’t perform proper due diligence is simply inexcusable. Thieves are getting more creative and sophisticated, as the stolen tomatoes incident illustrates. This means you must have a robust carrier qualification process and follow it consistently. The same is true for the brokers you work with and the employees you hire. Trust, but verify. Of course, there are many more actions you can take, including properly training drivers and other personnel on theft prevention, but these three simple steps (which are obvious, but not always practiced) go a long way.