Want to Prevent Cargo Theft? Don\’t Make These 3 Risky Mistakes

U.S. e-commerce revenue is about $423.3 billion and is steadily climbing. Whether it\’s full truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), or parcel, carriers are being forced to adjust to changes in the retail industry. And the increase in cargo theft is just one change that can negatively impact the entire industry if not handled correctly, or better yet, prevented entirely. Unfortunately, many freight brokers overlook some of the simplest preventative measures that can make a big difference in the number of cargo theft incidents you can and can\’t prevent. With that in mind, here are just a few mistakes to avoid in order to prevent cargo theft.

Forgetting to train employees and make them feel secure.

First, it\’s important to realize that cargo theft prevention starts with your own employees. According to data from CargoNet and FreightWatch International, in the first three quarters of 2016, approximately 615 cargo-theft incidents were recorded. Knowing this, keeping employees up to date regarding the latest security policies and protocols can help them feel protected, informed, and valued as employees.

Leaving cargo unattended for too long.

Another common mistake that freight brokers make that can easily have a negative impact on the number of cargo theft occurrences involves attendance — or lack thereof. When cargo is left unattended for too long, it becomes more susceptible to theft. This is true for both full truckload shipments as well as LTL shipments. It\’s up to you as a freight broker to determine how to reduce downtime in between shipments and ensure that the cargo is attended to as often as possible.

Not changing up routes.

Finally, it\’s helpful for freight brokers to change up their routes every so often so that they don\’t become too predictable and therefore accessible to thievery. The best way to track this is through freight broker software. The right freight broker software isn\’t always easy to find, but it\’s an essential component of cargo theft prevention and efficient freight management.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, approximately 5.9 million commercial motor vehicle drivers operate in the United States. Each and every freight broker has differing needs, but taking the time to inform yourself of these mistakes can decrease the number of cargo theft incidences over time. For more information about freight broker software, contact 3PL Systems.