ATLANTA, Ga. — A new survey from Geotab shows that cargo theft remains a top-of-mind threat for U.S. fleet operators, with more than a third (38%) saying they are more worried about it today than they were a year ago.
“Fleet operators are right to be concerned, and this data confirms their concerns are shared by the public,” said Emily Williams, head of transportation, business development at Geotab. “Cargo theft is bigger than operational losses for individual fleets, it’s become a critical issue for supply chain integrity and the economy in general. Consumers are paying attention, and they feel the financial impact when the system is compromised. Being proactive is now the only way to protect your cargo and maintain a resilient supply chain for customers.”
Rising Incidents
Nearly as many fleet operators (34%) reported experiencing cargo theft incidents within the past 12 months. This rising concern comes as the U.S. heads into its busiest delivery period, a time when increased delivery volumes, congestion and longer vehicle idling times create prime conditions for opportunistic theft, according to Geotab.
This industry concern is validated by a parallel Geotab survey of U.S. consumers, which found the problem is no longer invisible to the public. Half of Americans (51%) have experienced some form of cargo theft in the last year, often perceived as “lost” or “disappeared” deliveries.
The data reveals a critical new challenge for the industry: consumers are connecting this theft directly to their wallets. More than a third of consumers (37%) recognize that when cargo theft occurs, they ultimately end up paying higher prices. This public awareness shows that cargo theft is no longer just an internal industry problem. It’s a visible disruption to the supply chain that directly impacts consumers, according to Geotab.
Five Steps to Protect Your Fleet
As the country heads into the high-risk holiday season, Geotab is sharing five practical steps fleets can take today to harden operations, manage this rising risk and demonstrate proactive control over their supply chain.
- Track every asset in real time: Fit tractors, trailers, and high-value loads with visible and covert GPS trackers.
- Set geofences and alerts: Get instant notifications for deviations from planned routes, extended dwell times, or entries into high-risk zones.
- Add video telematics: Activate cameras on door openings or motion for verifiable visual records, providing context to alerts.
- Integrate smart locks and electronic seals: Utilize platform partners to replace padlocks with connected seals that send instant tamper alerts.
- Defend against GPS jamming and tampering: Deploy devices with anti-jamming detection to maintain visibility even when criminals try to block signals.
“Today, cargo theft operates with the sophistication of a business and thrives on any available opportunity,” Williams said. “Every minute counts, and fleets need intelligence, automation, and proactive controls to outpace criminals. These five actions help fleets build a frontline defence. But to truly protect the supply chain, the industry must work together. Stronger security at the vehicle level, combined with broader collaboration, is what builds a resilient supply chain and, ultimately, consumer trust.”
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
