As the holiday shopping season descends, shippers should be aware that law-abiding consumers are not the only folks hoping to get their hands on this season’s hottest gifts. It is time for high-value shippers to hone their theft-prevention plans and buckle down on security measures.
While all shippers should be paying attention, companies moving electronics should be on especially high alert this fall and winter. Popular electronics — namely gaming systems, smartphones, computers and tablets — tend to attract a lot of attention from cargo thieves. These pricey items sell quickly, making them easy to offload and allowing scoundrels to turn a quick profit.
“As the Christmas cargo starts to move, we will see some targeting of that,” Scott Cornell, Travelers’ Inland Marine Crime and Theft Specialist for Travelers, said. “The tricky part we’re seeing this year is that cargo theft has been pretty elevated since the beginning of the pandemic. Don’t get lulled into a false sense of security if there isn’t a big number bump, numbers are already high.”
Cargo theft numbers soared in 2020, and they still have not reverted to pre-pandemic levels. Even without significant year-over-year jumps, loads are more at risk now than they were just a few years ago.
There were 1,285 reported cargo thefts across the nation in 2021, according to CargoNet. Companies weathered a cumulative loss of $57,906,276 related to these incidents.
Big ticket items like computers and other electronics were the most targeted shipments, reinforcing the notion that shippers should buckle down on security measures surrounding electronic-heavy loads.
“Entering 2022, CargoNet expects that theft activity will remain elevated,” the company noted on its website. “We continue to be concerned about the increase in rail thefts and targeting of computer electronics shipments shipping from California, as well as a breakout of full truckload cargo thefts spreading across the eastern half of the United States.”
Cornell encouraged shippers to focus their efforts on preventing theft using the following tips:
- Establish good policies and procedures such as a red zone policy: Shippers and their broker or carrier partners can work to protect their loads by educating drivers about cargo theft and preventive methods such as “red zones.” Just one example of a good policy to institute these zones refer to a 150-250-mile radius surrounding distribution centers. “Cargo thieves do surveillance on distribution centers,” Cornell explained. “When they do that, they hope you’re going to stop shortly after you pick up the load, giving them time to steal your load while you are trying to prepare for the trip.” This has encouraged some to institute “red zone policies,” or guidelines that help drivers protect loads within the danger zone. Drivers should be encouraged to eat, fuel up and take their breaks before picking up loads in order to avoid stopping in these zones. Generally, traveling outside this area without stopping after picking up a load is enough to discourage thieves looking to score without straying too far from the distribution center.
- Consider a security escort: Companies moving high-demand loads, this could include sending carriers to pick up loads with a security escort. These amped up security measures make it clear that hijacking that load will not be an easy task, which is enough to discourage most thieves. “Prevention is key. During the holiday season, resources are going to be stretched thin,” Cornell said. “You’re going to have a harder time getting someone to prioritize your loss when there are more losses.”
- Choose the right insurance partner: No matter what policies shippers, brokers or carriers have in place, some cargo thefts are still bound to occur. When this happens, having a company like Travelers in their corner can make things easier for shippers, retailers and end consumers. When recoveries need to happen quickly, Travelers Special Investigations group steps in. The group – unique to the company and available free to its customers – is a team of Cargo Theft Investigators who work with local law enforcement to find and secure loads. This can sometimes even be done in time for the holiday season, minimizing the damage to every affected party.
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