Cargo theft can begin before the truck arrives

The theft may be prepared before arrival at the dock

On 25 September 2026, FreightWaves published a warning from the FBI's Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force. Agent Jeremy Baker said computer intrusions and social engineering can expose shipment goods, participants and instructions in advance. Criminals can then make a fraudulent pickup appear legitimate. The FBI confirmed current investigations involving extremely high-value goods and cyber-enabled methods, but did not disclose active cases.

True data can produce a false delivery

A message may contain the correct load number, carrier name and destination yet still come from a compromised account. A pickup authorisation therefore cannot be only a PDF or copyable code: it needs a verifiable signature, short validity, single use and binding to the driver, tractor, trailer, batch and destination.

A change is the highest-risk moment

Changing the driver, time, dock or consignee should invalidate the previous authorisation. The new instruction needs dual approval and confirmation through a previously registered contact, not the phone number or email included in the change itself. A tamper-evident timeline shows who approved what and when without publishing contracts or routes.

Track the batch, not only the account or truck

Even when a legitimate account is compromised, independent sensors on a pallet, container or asset can detect route diversion, opening, separation or abnormal silence. A Digital Product Passport keeps origin, batch and custody history connected to the goods and helps buyers, insurers and authorities recognise diverted freight. Sensefinity Digital Product Passport

For food, recovering the shipment is not enough: an unknown route or stop may have broken temperature and hygiene controls. Batch and cold-chain records support a documented quarantine-or-release decision; FoodSteps applies this practical traceability across the food ecosystem. Discover FoodSteps

Five controls before releasing freight

• Verify the driver, carrier, tractor, trailer, batch and destination through an independent channel.
• Issue signed, single-use and short-lived authorisations.
• Require dual approval for every change after booking.
• Bind the seal and sensor to the cargo unit, with alerts for diversion, opening and silence.
• Record every transfer and prepare blocking, recovery and quarantine procedures.