If you’ve been getting the hairy eyeball from shippers when picking up your loads, it may be a sign that you have a stain on your shirt… or they may be suspicious that you aren’t quite who you say you are – and rightly so. Cargo theft is at its all-time high and one of the leading methods of stealing cargo is with a deceptive pickup.
Freight Watch International has published their annual Cargo Theft Assessment and the results are in: There were a total of 946 incidents of cargo theft in 2013, up just 5 incidents from the year before.
While still considered an “atypical theft type,” deceptive pickup is gaining steam. There were only 61 incidents of deceptive pickup in 2013. That may seem like a small number compared to the total, but keep in mind that depending on the cargo that’s taken, a single stolen shipment of electronics averages a loss of almost $400,000.
And if you think you’re safe because you always work with the same shippers, think again. Shippers that are used to your company picking up from them may not look as closely at a driver’s paperwork, allowing thieves to drive off with your freight just because they know and trust the company the thief claims he works for.
California had the most cargo theft incidents by far, it’s 259 more than doubling the 123 in Texas, followed by 113 in Florida, 71 in Georgia, and 70 in Illinois.
Next Story: Dumb Company Owner Uses Stolen Trucks, May Get Up To 45 Years In Jail
Source: freightwatch, securityinfowatch, overdrive
Roadghost says
You can work for an agency, get called in for a day’s work, be told to pickup tractor 4213 at (insert address here, keys are on the oil dipstick) then go to company ABC and pickup trailer (insert # here) then deliver it to (insert address and dock # here). The paperwork is in the back of the trailer.
There. Some temp has just stolen a load and he doesn’t even know it. It happens more than anyone wants to admit. With wages so low in the trucking industry, it’s going to start happening a lot more.
shrinkwrap says
Excellent scenario you paint there Roadghost.
It really is that simple.
truckbuddha says
Well more and more places I am going to, want to either see and write down the info from your CDL or make a copy of it. Plus not every place is so simple a drop and hook, most require a pick up number, trl number and other info.
JT says
I don’t give NOBODY my license unless they are an officer of the law.
Glad my company backs us up on this. Theft or no theft, don’t be an identity thief victim yourself.
Robert says
Identity theft? You don’t need a drivers license for that. Just leave important papers in your truck the next time you take it to a shop. Identity theft is easier than you think.
Taylor says
Very true. But there is no reason at all to give a stranger in a far from home place your licensr either. Why help the thieves?
Rob says
That is why our company demands that we wear our uniforms. It clearly identifies us as employees.
Robert says
Uniforms can be stolen too.
shakeval says
Yes, cause nobody and i mean nobody has ever been able to fake a uniform
Ray says
I’ve always let the shipper copy my driver’s license when they asked to. You guys have me wondering if I should.
chemsoldier1 says
Can a customer legally require you to furnish a copy of your drivers license? Does anybody have the real facts on this and not just rumors and conjecture!
john says
Some shippers will tell you thanks but no thanks and turn you around if you don’t show your license.
Taylor says
So many ways to get jacked for identity theft, bit I will never hand over my personal license to anyone. I have been asked to see it, copy it and to hold it until I come back to to leave the property. Companies and shippers can work out an agreeable ID system between themselves, but it doesn’t include copying and/or holding my license at a shipper…
Rowdy says
Any food or drug shipper is going to need to see a company id at minimum to be in compliance with the industry standard, and there is a bio-terrorism act having to do with loads involving certain foodstuffs and etc. to protect the food chain apparently. My almost 20 yrs with an ingredients mfg. in their trans. dept. is where I am speaking from.
hey man says
shippers may turn truckers away thinking there hi-jackers. here’s the thing. hi-jackers are normally tipped off by the warehouse works of the shippers. and many driver’s never see it coming. and have no idea they have been targeted for hi-jacking. this is where it all gets really sticky. with nafta and the cross border deal. theft of loads and trucks are bound to go up. not saying that all Latin American people are bad or hi-jackers. I just know that there are bad people that are going to come across under the program. with the intention of committing crimes in the u.s. and then running back to escape American justice. so I think it’s best for now. to only allow latin American trucking companies and drivers limited access to America. or until they can provide and or demonstrate some kind of background screen check on the drivers there to ensure that only the right kind of drivers get to come to America. and the bad ones get cut out of the chance to travel America.