Tips for Preventing Cargo Theft 

Protecting your fleet has never been more affordable

Cargo theft incident reports are up 25% year-over-year and up 6% from May, according to data tracked by CargoNet. Fleets that fall victim to these schemes can incur hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs, so it’s vital to push security awareness with your drivers. 

Share these tips with your drivers for preventing cargo theft: 

Be mindful of where you’re parking.

CargoNet’s data shows thieves most commonly target vehicles and shipments parked at large retail parking lots and truck stops. Always be sure to park in well-lit areas and back up close to another trailer or a light pole. 

Limit the information on valuables to a need-to-know basis.

If especially valuable cargo is coming in and will be sitting awhile, don’t tell anyone who isn’t directly protecting or transporting it. 

Take care of logistics first.

Many thieves follow drivers out of distribution centers in hopes they’ll immediately stop at a truck stop to fuel up, rest, eat and shower. Avoid potential “red zones” by taking care of all these things before picking up your load. The average cargo thief won’t follow you to your next stop 150 miles down the road. 

Don’t look like an easy mark.

If a truck looks old, is in bad shape and is parked in a graffitied truck stop with a wallet sitting on the driver’s seat, it’s much more likely an ill-intentioned passerby will venture breaking in.  

Keep security top-of-mind.

Invest in high-security locks, cameras and asset trackers whenever possible. TVC Pro-Driver fleet members can leverage our partnership with EROAD, which offers tracking systems to maximize fleet safety, performance and compliance. 

Drivers typically feel a strong sense of responsibility toward the cargo they’re hauling. By providing detailed information and education to your team members, you can empower them to take charge of keeping their loads safe. 

Protecting your fleet has never been more affordable