Freight fraud has become one of the fastest-growing risks in trucking
Criminals exploit identity gaps, digital vulnerabilities, and operational blind spots to impersonate carriers, reroute freight, or steal loads outright. This page, compiled by National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc.® (NMFTA)™ experts, explains the fundamentals—so every industry stakeholder can understand the threat and take action.
Whether you’re new to the issue or looking to sharpen your understanding, this is where prevention begins.
Classification Freight Fraud Basics
From stolen loads at docks and yards to falsified Bills of Lading (BOL) used to reroute freight, cargo theft often begins with small points of manipulation—know the risks and protect your freight.
Cyber-Enabled
Freight Fraud Basics
Cyber-enabled freight fraud targets digital workflows—manipulating email threads, TMS platforms, and vendor credentials to reroute freight and bypass traditional safeguards.
Types of Cargo Theft
Cargo theft ranges from full trailer and container theft to strategic pilferage, fictitious pickups, and shipment diversion schemes targeting high-value goods.
Why it’s rising
Fraud is increasing due to:
- Faster tendering cycles;
- Identity gaps in the industry;
- Increased digitalization (without security);
- Market pressure and fragmented communication; and
- Sophisticated criminal networks.
Fraudsters move faster when systems don’t share trusted signals.
Who’s impacted?
If you touch freight, fraud affects you.
Carriers
Reputation damage, lost freight, liabilities.
Brokers
Financial loss, customer dissatisfaction.
Shippers
Stolen cargo, insurance claims.
Insurers
Increased payouts.
Platforms
Trust erosion.
Professional Truck Drivers
Personal safety risks.