Cargo theft in the U.S. declined year over year in the first quarter of 2026, but freight fraud schemes continued to rise as criminals increasingly used deceptive pickup tactics to steal legitimate shipments.
Deceptive Pickup Schemes Surge 31% Year Over Year
Supply chain security firm Overhaul recorded 574 cargo theft incidents nationwide during Q1, averaging 6.4 thefts per day. While total thefts fell compared to late 2025, the report found that deceptive pickup schemes — where criminals use fake identities, forged credentials and carrier impersonation to secure loads — jumped 31% year over year. Nearly half of those incidents occurred in California.
“The growth in deceptive pickup schemes tells us that organized networks are investing in fraud infrastructure,” Barry Conlon, Overhaul’s CEO and founder, said in a news release. “When criminals are forging identities and impersonating carriers, a padlock on a trailer isn’t going to stop them.”
Top Targeted Categories and Geographic Hotspots
Electronics remained the most frequently targeted cargo category, accounting for 17% of all incidents, followed by food and beverages, automotive parts, and apparel. Auto and parts thefts surged 142% from Q4 2025 and increased 51% year over year.
- Top cargo theft state: California (36% of incidents)
- Second-largest cargo theft state: Texas (17%)
- Illinois share of incidents: 13% in Q1 2026 vs. 6% in Q1 2025
- Tennessee share of incidents: 12% in Q1 2026 vs. 9% in Q1 2025
- Memphis cargo theft trend: Up 27% YoY
Industry-Wide Shift to Sophisticated Fraud Operations
Overhaul executives said the findings show cargo crime is evolving from traditional trailer theft toward more sophisticated fraud operations targeting carriers, brokers and shippers through identity manipulation and double-brokering schemes. Industry estimates suggest 6–7 thefts go unreported for every reported incident.
Overhaul Q1 2026 Cargo Theft Report Highlights
- Total U.S. cargo theft incidents: 574
- Average thefts per day: 6.4
- Change in deceptive pickup schemes: Up 31% YoY
- Q4 2025 to Q1 2026 theft decline: Down 25%
- Seasonal decline during same period last year: Down 34%
- Top targeted freight category: Electronics (17% of incidents)
- Food & beverage theft share: 15%
- Auto & parts theft share: 11%
- Clothing & shoes theft share: 11%
- Auto & parts theft increase vs. Q4 2025: Up 142%
- Auto & parts theft increase YoY: Up 51%
- Top cargo theft state: California (36% of incidents)
- Second-largest cargo theft state: Texas (17%)
- Illinois share of incidents: 13% in Q1 2026 vs. 6% in Q1 2025
- Tennessee share of incidents: 12% in Q1 2026 vs. 9% in Q1 2025
- Memphis cargo theft trend: Up 27% YoY
- Estimated unreported theft activity: Industry estimates suggest 6–7 thefts go unreported for every reported incident
Source: FreightWaves
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
