News / US truckers: beware of cargo theft during July 4 celebrations

ID 381916947 © Aliona Anatska

US truckers are facing urgent warnings of heightened theft across 4 July week, as insurance claims for this type of cargo loss rise.  

Verisk Cargonet has issued an urgent advisory to the US logistics industry warning of significantly increased risk of cargo theft during the holiday.  

“Extended business closures generally create advantageous operating conditions for cargo thieves, making this period particularly vulnerable for supply chain security,” it said.  

According to the loss-prevention company’s five-year analysis, 1 July and 3 July are the highest-risk days during the holiday period, as theft activity is generally concentrated around extended weekend closures. 

California, Texas, and Illinois are “the most targeted states” and stakeholders in Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Dallas County, Cook County and Shelby County are most at risk.

Co-founder and CCO of embedded cargo insurance provider Breeze, Matt Phillips told The Loadstar that insurance claims for theft in the US were “picking up substantially in 2024 and still trending in 2025”. 

Indeed, Verisk data illustrated that cargo theft rates “have escalated far beyond historical norms”.  

Between 2013-2022, there was an average of four theft reports per day, but this rose to eight in 2023, 10 in 2024, and now sits at an average 11 a day in 2025. 

The current theft trends, it noted, “focus heavily on non-alcoholic beverages, vehicle accessories such as tyres and automotive parts, computer electronics, and major appliances”. 

BSI Consulting’s Q2 Cargo theft report also shows a steady rise in US automotive thefts, with incidents having increased 133% from Q1 to Q2, and 74% of its overall recorded thefts from 1 April to 25 June were linked to trucks.  It listed Miami and Los Angeles at hot spots.

Most thefts – 39% – occurred in-transit, while 22% were linked to warehouses, 8% occurred at unsecured roadside parking, 7% at production facilities, and 5% in parking lots.

Mr Phillips added that forwarders in the US are starting to be more concerned about this type of loss due to the constant evolution of criminal tactics, making it hard to mitigate.  

“You look at some of the high-profile cases over the last couple of months. The thefts and criminals are becoming far more sophisticated. 

“Go back a few years, it was smash and grab. Now they’re happening where people don’t even know, and it’s almost becoming inside jobs,” he explained. 

However, while criminal sophistication is rising, Verisk analysis found that reports of direct cargo and vehicle theft still continue to significantly outnumber reports of sophisticated fraud schemes, “indicating a higher rate of direct action theft during vulnerable periods”. 

“The 4 July holiday period consistently presents one of the highest-risk windows for cargo theft due to extended facility closures and reduced security presence,” said Keith Lewis, vice president of operations at Verisk CargoNet.  

“With theft rates nearly tripling over the past decade, logistics companies must prioritise enhanced security measures during holiday periods to protect their assets and maintain supply chain integrity,” he urged.   

Specific advised action includes increased facility monitoring, enhanced driver communication protocols, and coordinated security measures with law enforcement partners.