Freight fraud has become one of the fastest-growing problems in the trucking industry, with schemes such as double brokering, fictitious pickups and identity theft of legitimate carriers increasingly used to steal freight. Industry estimates suggest that losses from freight fraud reached more than $455 million in 2024, as organized criminal groups began targeting weaknesses in digital freight platforms and carrier registration systems.

In response to the surge in fraud, U.S. Senator Todd Young introduced the SAFER Transport Act, legislation designed to strengthen oversight of the federal carrier registration system and improve fraud detection tools used by regulators. The bill aims to close loopholes that allow fraudulent carriers or brokers to repeatedly re-register under new identities after scams.

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has publicly backed the legislation, warning that freight fraud and cargo theft pose a growing threat to the trucking supply chain. Industry groups note that more than 90% of U.S. trucking fleets operate 10 trucks or fewer, meaning smaller carriers are often the most vulnerable when loads are stolen or payments disappear.

The debate now is whether stronger federal oversight will actually reduce freight fraud or whether scammers will simply adapt to new regulations, something many drivers, brokers and carriers say has happened repeatedly as the industry becomes more digital.

Source:
https://www.trucking.org/news-insights/ata-backs-new-legislation-fight-freight-fraud

https://www.trucknews.com/transportation/freight-fraud-losses-surpass-455m-in-2024/1003196726