Carrier identity theft: chain of custody starts before pickup

At least 24 loads moved under legitimate identities

A US federal indictment describes an alleged scheme that took control of legitimate carriers, used their identities to secure contracts and made the goods disappear after pickup. Authorities say at least 24 loads worth more than $12 million were diverted, including hard drives, electronics, clothing, food and nicotine products. The driver now charged has pleaded not guilty; the allegations must be proven in court. Read the FreightWaves report

A valid name can conceal a false pickup

If validation stops at a company name, an email domain or a document sent in a message, an intruder can look like an approved partner. Custody evidence must start before the freight changes hands: the contracted entity, driver, vehicle, licence plate, dock, time and authority for that shipment need to be checked together.

Verifiable credentials for every handoff

Blockchain infrastructure can record credentials, permissions and pickup events without relying on a database that an attacker may silently alter. Every handoff can require a match between the order, carrier, driver, vehicle and physical cargo identifier. This does not eliminate fraud, but it makes a stolen identity harder to reuse without creating verifiable inconsistencies. Explore Sensefinity blockchain

The passport should show who may move the product

A Digital Product Passport can connect lot, origin, status and custody history to authorised parties. Instead of proving only what a product is, the passport can show who was allowed to collect it, which event transferred responsibility and whether the route or consignee changed without approval. Explore Sensefinity Digital Product Passport

Diversion also threatens cargo condition

Food and other sensitive goods may return after hours or days outside the controlled route. Identity and origin alone do not prove that they remain fit for sale. Custody records should be combined with temperature, humidity, shock, opening events and a documented disposition before reintegration. Visit FoodSteps

• Confirm the company, driver, vehicle and dock before releasing freight.
• Use credentials limited by time, scope and specific shipment.
• Bind documents to the physical identifier of the lot or container.
• Require fresh approval when the route, consignee or warehouse changes.
• Preserve condition data to decide whether recovered cargo can return to market.