Guest Blog by GLCS, a FFPH Partner
Freight fraud has become one of the most significant challenges facing the transportation industry, but many organizations still view it primarily as a security or insurance issue.
The reality is much broader.
Today’s fraud schemes often begin long before a load goes missing. They start with compromised credentials, spoofed communications, rushed decisions, or gaps in everyday business processes. What was once considered a cargo theft problem has evolved into an operational challenge that affects nearly every part of the supply chain.
These themes were the focus of a recent Driving Forward podcast discussion featuring Ben Wilkens and Joe Ohr from the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) and hosted by Nate Johnson from GLCS. The conversation explored how cybercrime and freight fraud are increasingly connected and what transportation companies can do to better protect themselves.
One message stood out throughout the discussion:
Successful fraud prevention depends just as much on people and processes as it does on technology.
Here are five lessons transportation companies should consider as freight fraud continues to evolve.
Lesson #1: Fraudsters Are Attacking People, Not Just Technology
Many of today’s freight fraud schemes rely on social engineering rather than sophisticated hacking.
Criminals are exploiting trust, urgency, and routine workflows. They know transportation moves fast. They know dispatchers, brokers, and operations teams are under pressure. They know that if something looks legitimate enough, people may not stop to question it.
The takeaway?
Train employees to recognize red flags, question unusual requests, and verify information when something feels off.
Lesson #2: Drivers Are Part of Your Fraud Prevention Team
One insight that stood out from the discussion was the role drivers play in preventing fraud.
Drivers are often the first people to notice when something doesn’t seem right: a destination change, unusual instructions, or a communication that doesn’t match the normal process. Yet many companies leave drivers out of fraud and cybersecurity training.
Fraud prevention shouldn’t stop at the office door.
Lesson #3: Processes Matter More Than Technology
Technology is important, but strong processes are often the difference between catching fraud and becoming a victim.
The guests emphasized the importance of:
- Verifying unexpected delivery changes
- Reconfirming high-value loads
- Using multi-factor authentication
- Regularly reviewing access to systems and load boards
- Creating checkpoints throughout operational workflows
The goal isn’t to eliminate trust. It’s to create verification steps that make fraud harder to execute.
Lesson #4: “Trust But Verify” Needs to Become the New Standard
For years, trucking has been built on relationships and trust.
Unfortunately, fraudsters understand that too.
Today’s bad actors can impersonate legitimate companies, compromise email accounts, spoof phone numbers, and use stolen credentials to appear credible. In many cases, they are counting on someone assuming a request is legitimate because it looks familiar.
Verification is no longer optional.
It is becoming a standard part of doing business.
Lesson #5: Prevention Is Easier Than Recovery
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the conversation was that companies should focus less on how to recover from freight fraud and more on how to prevent it.
By the time a stolen load is discovered, the damage is often already done.
The most effective defenses are proactive:
- Employee awareness training
- Consistent operational processes
- Strong cyber hygiene
- Ongoing carrier and partner verification
- Open communication across the organization
As the guests noted, fraud prevention is no longer just an IT responsibility. It touches operations, dispatch, accounting, safety, compliance, leadership, and drivers alike.
Building a More Resilient Industry
One of the most important themes emerging from industry conversations is the need for collaboration.
Freight fraud affects carriers, brokers, shippers, technology providers, and drivers alike. As fraud tactics evolve, organizations benefit from sharing information, learning from one another’s experiences, and adopting proven best practices.
No single technology, process, or organization will eliminate freight fraud on its own.
However, an industry that prioritizes awareness, verification, communication, and continuous improvement can make it significantly harder for bad actors to succeed.
The Bottom Line
Freight fraud continues to evolve because criminals continue to adapt.
Organizations that successfully reduce risk won’t necessarily be those with the largest technology budgets. They will be the ones that create a culture of awareness, accountability, and verification throughout their operations.
Because in today’s transportation environment, the strongest defense against freight fraud is not a single tool.
It’s informed people following strong processes every day.
Watch the Full Discussion
The insights shared in this article were inspired by a recent Driving Forward podcast conversation featuring NMFTA’s Ben Wilkens and Joe Ohr alongside host Nate Johnson. The discussion explores the growing connection between cybersecurity and freight fraud, common vulnerabilities across transportation operations, and practical steps companies can take to reduce risk.
Whether you’re a carrier, broker, shipper, technology provider, or industry stakeholder, the full conversation offers valuable perspectives on one of the fastest-growing threats facing transportation today.
