The steady increase in cargo theft is on the move, according to a monthly update from a company that monitors and helps companies combat what is estimated to cost between $15 billion and $35 billion.
GearTrack’s June Cargo Security Index shows that while three states continue to account for more than half of reported cargo thefts, three more – all in the East – are showing spikes.
The report says 113 thefts occurred in California, Texas and Illinois during May. At the same time, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Maryland all saw marked increases.
GearTrack says sophisticated fraud schemes, including impersonating legitimate freight carriers and rerouting entire truckloads, are accelerating theft in those eastern states.
In addition, multi-modal ports and high-volume hubs like Savannah, Chicago, and Dallas remain high-risk, with some cargo stolen within hours of arrival, according to GearTrack’s data.
“Memorial Day week patterns held true again in 2025, with increased targeting of beverages, appliances, and mixed consumer goods like TVs bound for major retailers,” the GearTrack report says.
While the theft of beverages showed a modest 6% month-over-month decrease, the loss of household goods jumped by 33% and theft of electronics was up by 28%, according to the report.
“The bottom line: Cargo theft is no longer opportunistic, it’s organized, data-driven, and rapidly adapting to market changes,” says GearTrack. “To stay ahead of these evolving threats, shippers and carriers must strengthen security at every stage of the supply chain, not just with tools, but with training, planning, and proactive intelligence.”
The company suggests carriers should:
- Utilize real-time tracking beyond driver location, use geofencing and asset-level internet of things options
- Avoid unsecured parking lots, especially over holiday weekends
- Ensure tamper detection sensors and alarm systems are fully functional
- Educate drivers and staff on recent fraud tactics and threats
- Schedule routes to minimize dwell time for loaded trailers
- Watch for signs of surveillance or impersonation at pick-up points
- Run security simulation exercises to find hidden operational gaps
In response to the rise in cargo theft, federal and regional agencies are beginning to take action. In Georgia, a new $44.5 million U.S. Customs inspection warehouse opens this month at Savannah’s Garden City Terminal, addressing a key vulnerability by keeping containers onsite during inspection.
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