ALERT: Cargo theft expected to spike during Thanksgiving holiday
Experts are warning truckers about a major uptick in cargo theft in the days surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday.
CargoNet, a company specializing in cargo theft prevention, issued an alert on November 20, 2024, warning of increased risk from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving through the following Monday.
Over the past five years, there were 174 significant cargo theft incidents during the six day period surrounding Thanksgiving, according to CargoNet.
Experts named the Monday following Thanksgiving as the day with the highest cargo theft risks as “thieves appear to exploit both the extended holiday closure and decreased vigilance following the holiday weekend.”
CargoNet advised extra caution in the following cargo theft “hot spots”:
- San Bernardino County, California
- Los Angeles County, California
- Cook County, Illinois
CargoNet also named the top types of freight that are targeted by cargo thieves during the holiday period:
- Freight all-kinds (FAK) shipments
- Hard liquor
- Vehicle accessories, particularly tires and motor oil
“The Thanksgiving holiday period creates uniquely vulnerable conditions throughout the supply chain. Extended facility closures combine with reduced staffing levels to disrupt normal operating patterns. These factors create opportunities for criminal exploitation that require enhanced vigilance and security protocols. CargoNet strongly recommends transportation companies strengthen their security measures throughout the holiday period. Companies should implement additional verification steps for all shipments, particularly those moving through identified high-risk areas. Special attention should focus on protecting frequently targeted commodities and preventing identity fraud schemes,” the company said.