Alert: Cargo Theft Risks Spike During Thanksgiving Holiday

Cargo theft tends to pick up over the Thanksgiving period, an analysis warns.

According to a supply chain analysis by CargoNet, 174 significant theft events typically take place during a six-day window from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving through the following Monday over the past five years.

Criminals targeted semi-tractors, trailers, and cargo through various schemes, including identity fraud.

The Monday following Thanksgiving was the peak day for criminal activity, coinciding with a surge in identity fraud complaints, according to the analysis.

Thieves appear to exploit both the extended holiday closure and decreased vigilance following the holiday weekend, according to CargoNet.

San Bernardino County and Los Angeles County in California, along with Cook County in Illinois, were the primary hotspots during this period, the analysis shows.

The analysis of targeted commodities showed consistent patterns in thief preferences. Criminals focused primarily on freight all-kinds shipments, hard liquor, and vehicle accessories, particularly tires and motor oil. Thieves select these targets based on established relationships with black market buyers, indicating sophisticated criminal networks operating within the supply chain, according to CargoNet.

The industry successfully prevents many traditional identity fraud attempts, but criminals continue to advance their techniques. CargoNet has already recorded more than 450 fictitious pickup attempts in 2024, making it likely that the figures will exceed last year’s record levels. This trend indicates a significant shift toward more sophisticated fraud schemes, according to CargoNet.

“The Thanksgiving holiday period creates uniquely vulnerable conditions throughout the supply chain,” an alert from CargoNet states. “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 is a Verisk business focused on cargo theft prevention and recovery.