Cargo Thieves Score Bigger Returns With Less Work
Estimated cargo theft losses reached $230.1 million in the third quarter of 2026, a 39% increase from the same period in 2025, even as the number of reported incidents declined sharply, according to Verisk CargoNet.
Fewer incidents, higher-value shipments
Verisk CargoNet recorded 547 supply chain crime incidents across the United States and Canada from July through September 2026. That total was down 33% year over year and 19% from the second quarter.
The data indicates that cargo thieves are targeting fewer shipments with significantly higher values. Average loss amounts increased 72% compared with the third quarter of 2025, driving overall losses higher despite the decline in reported incidents.
The trend follows a broader increase in cargo theft losses. Verisk CargoNet reported that cargo theft in the United States cost nearly $725 million in 2025, a 60% increase from the previous year. Confirmed theft incidents also rose 18% during that year, while the average value of stolen shipments increased 36% to $273,990.
Digital deception and carrier impersonation
CargoNet said organized criminal groups are combining digital deception with traditional theft tactics to identify, intercept and redirect high-value shipments. Methods include identity fraud, carrier impersonation and weaknesses in freight-verification procedures.
“We’re seeing criminals combine digital deception with traditional theft tactics to identify, intercept and redirect high-value shipments,” said Lewis of Verisk CargoNet. “Data center materials are among the valuable commodities attracting attention.”
As the value of targeted freight increases, CargoNet said strong identity verification, shipment visibility and communication throughout the supply chain are becoming more important.
High-value commodities remain a target
Data center materials are among the commodities drawing increased attention from cargo thieves. Other theft investigations have involved high-value electronics and technology-related shipments.
The third-quarter figures suggest that criminals are increasingly prioritizing high-value loads over a larger number of lower-value shipments. For carriers, brokers and shippers, the shift increases the financial impact of individual thefts even when overall incident counts decline.
