Jersey City, NJ — As the year-end shipping rush approaches, Verisk CargoNet has issued a stern advisory warning carriers and owner-operators of an intensifying threat from cargo thieves. Data indicates that the window between December 23 and January 2 has become the most dangerous period of the year for high-value freight, with reported theft incidents climbing from 49 in 2020 to 89 in 2024.

The surge in criminal activity is tied to the unique operational challenges of the holiday season, specifically reduced staffing levels at warehouses and extended dwell times for trailers. When freight sits in unattended yards or is delayed due to facility closures, it creates a prime environment for organized theft rings. Over the past five years, the industry has seen a total of 353 documented events, including tractor and trailer theft, cargo pilferage, and sophisticated supply chain fraud.

Analysis from the firm reveals that 69 percent of these incidents take place in the week leading up to Christmas, with December 23 standing out as the single highest-risk day for the entire year. Criminals are specifically targeting commodities with high resale value, including tires, auto parts, alcoholic beverages, electronics, and power tools. Geographic hotspots remain consistent, with California leading the nation in holiday-related cargo crime, followed by Texas, Illinois, and Florida.

What This Means for Drivers

For the average CDL-A driver, these findings mean that physical security and route planning are more critical than ever during the final weeks of the year. Owner-operators should exercise extreme caution when parking in unfamiliar areas or leaving trailers staged for long periods at closed facilities. Verifying every pickup through a direct phone call to a known contact is a necessary step to avoid becoming a victim of fraud, as thieves are increasingly using digital deception to misdirect shipments.

Industry Reaction

Keith Lewis, vice president of operations at Verisk CargoNet, emphasizes that many of these losses stem from lapses in verification rather than a lack of physical locks or alarms. Carriers are being urged to stop relying solely on automated emails or caller ID when confirming pickup details. As trucking companies are hiring to meet seasonal demand, the industry must ensure that new personnel and dispatch teams are trained to identify the red flags associated with cargo diversion and identity theft before a shipment ever leaves the dock.

Key Points

• Total cargo crime events during the holiday window increased by approximately 82 percent between 2020 and 2024.
• December 23 accounts for roughly 16 percent of all holiday-period theft events identified in the five-year study.
• San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties in California remain the primary high-risk regions for cargo theft.
• Verification failures, such as relying on text messages or unverified digital communications, are the primary exploit used by modern cargo thieves.

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