Cargo theft dips in Q1, but fraud schemes surge, report says

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Cargo theft successful the U.S. declined twelvemonth implicit twelvemonth successful the archetypal 4th of 2026, but freight fraud schemes continued to emergence arsenic criminals progressively utilized deceptive pickup tactics to bargain morganatic shipments.

Supply concatenation information steadfast Overhaul recorded 574 cargo theft incidents nationwide during Q1, averaging 6.4 thefts per day.

While full thefts fell compared to precocious 2025, the study recovered that deceptive pickup schemes — wherever criminals usage fake identities, forged credentials and bearer impersonation to unafraid loads — jumped 31% twelvemonth implicit year. Nearly fractional of those incidents occurred successful California.

“The maturation successful deceptive pickup schemes tells america that organized networks are investing successful fraud infrastructure,” Barry Conlon, Overhaul’s CEO and founder, said successful a quality release. “When criminals are forging identities and impersonating carriers, a padlock connected a trailer isn’t going to halt them.”

Electronics remained the astir often targeted cargo category, accounting for 17% of each incidents, followed by nutrient and beverages, automotive parts, and apparel. Auto and parts thefts surged 142% from Q4 2025 and accrued 51% twelvemonth implicit year.

California and Texas remained the apical cargo theft hotspots, representing 36% and 17% of reported incidents, respectively. Illinois and Tennessee besides saw important increases successful theft enactment during the quarter.

Overhaul executives said the findings amusement cargo transgression is evolving from accepted trailer theft toward much blase fraud operations targeting carriers, brokers and shippers done individuality manipulation and double-brokering schemes.