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Dry van cargo theft prevention for small fleets

Helm PartnersUpdated Oct 29, 2026Sources checked Oct 29, 2026

This guide is general information, not advice on any policy.

Short answer

Cargo theft is the taking of any part of a commercial shipment while it moves from origin to destination, including stops. CargoNet recorded 677 incidents in the US and Canada in Q2 2026, while fictitious pickups fell only slightly, from 165 to 158. Small fleets lower their risk by verifying every pickup change, guarding loaded trailers and sharing load details only as needed.

In this guide
  • What counts as cargo theft
  • What the public reports show
  • Habits that help
  • After a theft
  • FAQ

Here is what public sources say about cargo theft and the habits that help a small dry van fleet.

What counts as cargo theft

  • The FBI counts the taking of any part of a commercial shipment moving in commerce, from origin to final destination, including stops (FBI UCR).
  • Theft from an interstate shipment is a federal crime (18 USC 659).

What the public reports show

  • CargoNet recorded 677 incidents in the US and Canada in Q2 2026, with estimated losses of $304.6 million (Verisk CargoNet, Aug 6, 2026).
  • Fictitious pickups were 158 of those events. Business email compromise and shipment misdirection held steady.

Habits that help

  1. Verify any change to a pickup, driver or destination by calling a number you already have, not one in the email.
  2. Do not leave a loaded trailer unattended when you can avoid it. When you must, use a secure lot and locks.
  3. Share load details only with people who need them.
  4. Record seal numbers at pickup and check them at each stop.
  5. Check that the carrier or driver picking up matches the load confirmation.

After a theft

FAQ

How does the FBI define cargo theft?

The criminal taking of any cargo that is part of a commercial shipment moving in commerce, at any point from origin to final destination, including temporary stops (FBI UCR).

What is a fictitious pickup?

Someone posing as a legitimate carrier or driver collects a load with no intent to deliver it. CargoNet counted 158 fictitious pickup events in Q2 2026.

Is cargo theft a federal crime?

Theft from an interstate or foreign shipment is a federal crime under 18 USC 659.

What should a carrier do first after a theft?

Call police, notify the shipper and broker, and start a written record of times, locations, seal numbers and documents.

Where can I find current theft numbers?

CargoNet publishes quarterly analyses. Its Q2 2026 release was published Aug 6, 2026.

This guide is general information, not advice on any policy.

From the Wire: Feds say a cargo theft ring took over real carriers to book loads.

Sources