June 15, 2025
How to Protect Your Business From B2B Delivery Theft
In business-to-business (B2B) transportation, ensuring goods arrive securely and on time is not just a priority but a necessity. With rising client expectations and tight delivery schedules, even a single lost shipment can lead to lost trust, financial damage, and reputation issues. Unfortunately, the problem of freight theft is growing, and companies are feeling the pressure to step up their game.
Whether it is stolen cargo, fraudulent orders, or stolen truckloads, modern criminals are using sophisticated tactics that require equally sophisticated responses. Let’s break down the different types of delivery theft, highlight the latest cargo theft statistics, and share actionable cargo theft solutions that can help protect your business this year onwards.
Types of B2B Delivery Theft You Need to Know
Delivery theft is not a one-size-fits-all issue. It takes many forms, and recognizing these threats is the first step in fighting back. Here are the three most common types of cargo theft affecting B2B operations:
Internal Theft
Sometimes, the threat comes from within. Internal theft includes:
- Pilferage – the small-scale theft of goods, often unnoticed until inventory checks.
- Data leaks – employees sharing sensitive shipping information like cargo routes or delivery times.
- Collusion – when staff members team up with outside criminals to steal goods or provide access to shipments.
Fraudulent Operations
Carrier fraud is a rising concern. The most prevalent form is double brokering, where a fraudulent party re-brokers the load without proper authorization, often to an unvetted or nonexistent carrier. Other deceptive tactics include:
- Fake non-delivery claims
- Tampering with packages
- Placing fake or fraudulent orders
Cargo Theft in Transit
Traditional cargo theft continues to be a major threat. Criminals target trucks and trailers by:
- Hijacking or rerouting shipments
- Stealing entire loads from parked or unattended vehicles
- Posing as legitimate carriers to gain access to valuable freight
The Rise in Delivery Theft: What the Numbers Say
If it feels like freight theft is becoming more common, you’re not imagining it. Consider these alarming cargo theft statistics:
Cargo theft incidents skyrocketed 27% in 2024.
A record 3,625 freight thefts were reported last year in The US.
Over 700 million dollars worth of freight was stolen in 2024.
70% of all supply chain theft cases involved insider participation.
More than 15% of cargo theft claims stemmed from fraud or deception.
Clearly, this is not a mere one-off problem but a persistent threat. Left unchecked, stolen truckloads and warehouse theft can harm operations, impact insurance rates, and ruin business relationships.
Using Technology to Stay Ahead of Thieves
While thieves are evolving, so are the tools available to fight them. One of the most powerful modern cargo theft solutions is the use of electronic proof of delivery devices (ePOD).
What Are Electronic Proof of Delivery Devices?
ePOD devices combine real-time GPS tracking, recipient signature capture, and timestamp logging to provide a digital trail for every shipment. This means:
- You know exactly where your freight is at all times
- There is indisputable proof of delivery
- Unauthorized diversions or suspicious delays can be flagged immediately
These tools increase visibility and provide a level of accountability that traditional paper processes can’t match.
Six Preventive Measures to Secure Your Shipments
Beyond technology, successful warehouse theft prevention and secure delivery require a multilayered strategy. Here is what businesses can do:
1. Enhance Your Tracking Systems
Invest in GPS-enabled tracking systems that allow for real-time location updates. Monitoring your shipments from start to finish helps deter theft and speeds up recovery if something goes wrong.
2. Implement Secure Delivery Protocols
Set clear expectations for your delivery team. Require ID verification, maintain chain-of-custody logs, and outline specific protocols for high-value or high-risk shipments.
3. Use Smart Delivery Options
- Lockable delivery vaults
- Intelligent lockers
- Mandatory signatures upon receipt
These add layers of security that make it harder for stolen cargo incidents to occur.
4. Train Your Employees
Provide comprehensive theft prevention training. Teach drivers and warehouse staff how to spot red flags, respond to threats, and safeguard sensitive shipment data.
5. Partner with Trustworthy Carriers
Vet your transportation providers carefully. Choose carriers with an impeccable track record of reliability and security. Avoid partners involved in double brokering or with unclear logistics processes.
6. Embrace Cloud-Based Logistics Tools
Cloud platforms like our SunConnect system offer centralized oversight of your deliveries. From route optimization to exception alerts, they support smarter, safer logistics operations.
The Role of Vigilance and Trusted Partners
Even with the best technology, stolen truckloads and fraudulent claims can still happen if businesses let their guard down. That’s why consistent vigilance is critical. Choose partners that prioritize security, invest in cargo theft solutions, and are committed to freight visibility and accountability.
At Last Mile Logistics, we don’t just deliver; we protect your deliveries. With tools like SunConnect, we help you stay one step ahead of modern cargo thieves by combining data, technology, and expertise to create a safer delivery experience.
Be Proactive, Not Reactive
The threat of cargo theft is not going anywhere, but with the right systems and partnerships in place, your business does not have to be its next victim.
To recap:
- Recognize the different types of B2B delivery theft
- Use data-backed tools like electronic proof of delivery devices
- Implement layered preventive measures
- Partner with logistics experts who take security seriously
Your freight is too valuable to gamble on outdated processes or unverified carriers. Stay informed, stay secure, and take control of your logistics future with a more innovative, safer approach.
Looking to strengthen your logistics security in 2025? Contact Arnie today and discover how SunConnect can help you protect every load.
