Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/303798
S tolen freight is one of the fastest growing and under-reported fraudulent events taking place in the trucking industry today. Whether you are a broker, shipper, or carrier, becoming a victim of a stolen load is one of your worst fears. Internet Truckstop's Security Services Department routinely receives many different kinds of stolen freight reports. Highly targeted commodities over the past several years have included truckloads of electronics and pharmaceuticals. But more recently there has been a noticeable shi in commodities that are not as easily traceable such as produce and other perishable loads. HOW IS FREIGHT STOLEN? e reports we have received include a myriad of different stolen freight methods along with how the stolen freight is disseminated. Listed below are the most common scenarios that have been reported: 1. A duly registered and licensed motor carrier contracts to move a load, picks up the load from a shipper, and the load never reaches its intended final destination. One of the first warning signs as a broker or shipper is when you are not receiving regular check calls from your carrier. e second warning sign is usually when the load does not arrive on time and with no communication from the carrier as to why. 2. e carrier hauling the load stops at a truck stop where the load is stolen from the carrier. e truck might be unattended for as little as one hour which is all it takes for the truck and trailer, or the loaded trailer alone, to be stolen. In some cases, and given enough time, the thieves will transfer the load to their own trailer. In this case the the can go unnoticed for a long period of time and even right up to the delivery and unloading point. Another common scenario is when loaded trailers are temporarily dropped in unsecure locations for the weekend or while maintenance is being done on the truck. When the carrier returns the loaded trailer is missing. 3. Oen, scammers purporting to be a legitimate company, using the identity of said company, will book a load. ey will then have a truck with a driver who is a party to the scam, pick up the load with the legitimate company's information added to the side of the truck. is information is usually on a removable door placard. e truck will then disappear with the load. ey will usually use the same company's information several times before stealing another carrier's identity. is also results in the stolen identity of the carrier whose information has been targeted and used as part of the scam. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOUR FREIGHT IS STOLEN? 1. You should always use the information listed on the FMCSA to contact the company/carrier that you are booking a load with. If you suspect a load has been stolen, contact the company you booked the load with to determine if the load was stolen by the company's driver alone, or if the trucking company appears to have some involvement. It could be that the carrier is a victim of stolen identity. 2. If you are unable to make contact with the carrier you should notify law enforcement immediately. If the load is considered stolen from the time it le the shippers yard, it is recommend that you contact the local law enforcement where the freight originated. If the load was stolen from the carrier in transit, you should contact the local law enforcement in the city where the freight was stolen. It is also recommended that you contact the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation from the region where the freight was stolen. When you contact law enforcement, have as much detail as possible about the circumstances surrounding the the including whether the carrier was involved, if it appears to be a case of stolen identity, or if it was a random the. 3. Report the the to Internet Truckstop. If you believe the carrier was involved, file a CPR complaint for stolen load, as well as sending an email to security@truckstop.com. If you believe it was a case of identity the and that the carrier whose information was used is not involved, or the load was stolen from the carrier in transit, email security@truckstop.com with all the details and provide copies of all relevant paperwork. PREVENTION! 1. Make every effort to verify that you are dealing with a legitimate carrier, and more importantly, an authorized representative of that carrier. Verify that the carriers contact information matches with what is listed on the FMCSA and DOT websites. If it does not, call the number listed on the websites to verify you are dealing with an authorized representative of the carrier company. 2. Contractually require that your carriers not leave high value freight unattended, and if they must do so, require that it be le in a secure, gated and insured lot if available. 3. Always check a carriers CPR/CACCI ratings and performance history on Internet Truckstop where potential risk indicators and other pertinent information can be found as part of your carrier pre-qualification efforts. 4. Always check Internet Truckstop's Industry Alerts. If we have received any reports on carriers who have either stolen loads or have been a victim of identity the, you will find this valuable information in our Industry Alerts located on our website. Working together and taking a few extra minutes to conduct the precautionary measures listed above may save you from becoming a victim of a stolen load. If you have other suggestions or experiences that you would like to share, please send us an email at security@truckstop.com. Vo l . 8 , N o . 3 TRUCKSTOP.COM 15 I F Y O U A R E U N A B L E T O M A K E C O N T A C T W I T H T H E C A R R I E R Y O U S H O U L D N O T I F Y L AW E N F O R C E M E N T I M M E D I AT E LY. " " O N E O F T H E F I R S T WA R N I N G S I G N S A S A B R O K E R O R S H I P P E R I S W H E N Y O U A R E N O T R E C E I V I N G R E G U L A R C H E C K C A L L S F R O M Y O U R C A R R I E R . " "