Uber Freight tackles holiday cargo fraud head-on

In its latest release, Uber Freight highlights that as holiday shipping surges, freight fraud has become a top concern across the industry. 

While companies battle various forms of fraud year-round, strategic and straightforward theft is especially rampant in the current market.

Why does this matter? The holiday season sees a surge in shipping activity, making supply chains busier and more prone to oversight gaps that criminals can exploit.

Supply chain threats: Busiest shipping season ahead 

Bill McDermott, senior investigator at Uber Freight, says: “Cargo theft has been around since there has been cargo. We used to see lulls, and we’re not seeing that right now. I think as organized groups evolve and start to use different methods, it’s going to continue.”

What’s the bigger picture? Uber Freight highlights that  it’s essential for everyone in the supply chain to prepare for potential threats now, with the busiest shipping season just around the corner.

Uber Freight advice: Protect cargo and stay vigilant

McDermott gives some good advice ahead of the peak season, saying, “Companies need to have a playbook and be ready for a theft to occur.” 

Here’s some Uber Freight advice for the busy road ahead in the industry: 

• Holiday risk reminder: As high-value goods start moving in larger volumes, remember: cargo at rest is cargo at risk.

• Stay alert on long routes: Shippers, carriers, and brokers should focus on securing and monitoring shipments, especially on extended routes requiring driver stops.

• Train your team: Ensure all employees—from truck drivers to office staff—are trained to recognize and respond to potential threats effectively.

How to overcome cargo theft: Establish connections 

Here’s a scenario: You’re a logistics manager, and a shipment of electronics goes missing at 2 am. Instead of panicking, you act fast. 

Thanks to your strong relationships with local law enforcement, help is on the way immediately.

Minutes matter, and because you prepared ahead, the stolen freight is recovered before it’s too late.

“Speed is everything when it comes to recovering stolen goods. If you have connections already in place, the chances of a quick response go up significantly,”, says McDermott. 

How Uber Freight combats theft 

Uber Freight sets a high bar for theft prevention with comprehensive security. The company employs a robust suite of protocols to protect its operations and partners, including thorough onboarding and compliance checks. 

Backed by an in-house team of investigators, Uber Freight demonstrates a security-first mindset at every stage of the supply chain.

But Uber Freight takes security one step further. It works to protect its own operations and collaborates with others in the industry—including competitors—to combat fraud.

“If we have an incident, we share that information with others because that is the approach we have to take as an industry. Our approach is to make sure everybody knows what this attack vector is,” says McDermott. 

NOW READ: ‘Organized and sophisticated’ cargo theft haunts logistics industry

Photo Credit: Uber Freight

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