Cargo theft has become one of the trucking industry’s most expensive and persistent challenges. The latest ATRI report, “The Fight Against Cargo Theft” (2025), confirms what many carriers already suspect: theft is on the rise, methods are evolving, and losses are mounting. But it also offers something valuable: a roadmap.
For small carriers and owner-operators, this roadmap is more than just advice; it’s a matter of survival. A single stolen load can disrupt cash flow, damage client trust, and threaten long-term viability. Yet, with proactive steps, small fleets can build stronger defenses. Agility, awareness, and smart financial tools can turn vulnerability into strength.
This guide distills ATRI’s insights into actionable strategies to help small and mid-size carriers stay one step ahead and come out on top.
1. Build a Security-First Mindset and Culture
Technology can help protect your trucks, but it’s people who prevent theft before it happens. ATRI’s findings reveal that human error and complacency remain leading causes of theft — from unguarded parking and skipped seal checks to releasing cargo without proper verification.
For small fleets, prevention starts with a strong internal culture. Regularly train drivers and dispatchers to recognize red flags, choose safe parking spots, and respond effectively in emergencies. Standardize operating procedures for sealing, resting, inspecting, and verifying cargo. Reinforce accountability by rewarding employees who follow security protocols and take initiative.
A security-first culture values awareness as much as on-time delivery. Simple steps, such as double-checking paperwork, choosing well-lit rest areas, or confirming load details, can dramatically reduce exposure. In the end, a strong safety culture costs far less than a single stolen load and protects far more than freight. It protects your people, your reputation, and your business.
2. Use Layered Technology to Close Security Gaps
ATRI’s data shows that motor carriers reported 555 theft incidents in a single year, totaling more than $16 million in losses. With an average of one theft for every 75.8 registered trucks, no fleet is too small to be a target.
The best defense isn’t buying the most expensive tech — it’s building layers of affordable, practical protection and using them consistently. When your tracking, monitoring, and alert systems work together, they form a digital safety net that makes theft far more difficult.
Some of the most effective tools include:
- Telematics and GPS monitoring: Deliver real-time visibility into vehicle locations and deviations.
- Cameras and dashcams: Deter thieves and provide crucial evidence for claims and investigations.
- Load sensors and tamper-evident seals: Alert dispatch immediately when cargo is accessed.
- Geofencing and route alerts: Notify you if a truck stops or leaves a designated zone unexpectedly.
- Data analytics: Identify recurring risks, theft-prone areas, or operational weak points over time.
Considering that the average loss per theft exceeds $29,000, even modest investments in tracking and monitoring can quickly pay for themselves.
3. Build Smart Partnerships and Alliances
Security extends across your entire network. The more connected your operation is, the stronger your defenses become. Collaboration builds visibility, speeds up response times, and deters would-be thieves from even trying.
- Coordinate with law enforcement and local agencies near your operating lanes to ensure a seamless operation. Carriers who share incident details or suspicious activity often see faster recoveries and better protection in high-risk zones.
- Join industry associations like the TCA (Truckload Carriers Association) or ATA (American Trucking Association), which advocate for anti-theft laws, centralized reporting systems, and data-sharing networks that keep members informed about theft trends and hotspots.
- Set clear expectations with brokers and shippers on verification, documentation, and liability for theft events. When everyone in your supply chain follows the same security procedures, your operation becomes much harder to target.
Collaborative networks reduce your risk and convey a clear message that your cargo is well-protected, your partners are vigilant, and your business takes security seriously.
4. Strengthen Vetting, Verification, and Fraud Defense
Not all theft happens on the road. ATRI’s report shows a rise in fraud-based thefts, including fake carriers, spoofed credentials, and forged dispatch instructions.
Small carriers must treat verification as seriously as physical security. Verify every load, broker, and subcontractor before the first mile. Double-check carrier numbers, DOT registration, and contact details. If something feels off, verify twice before moving freight.
When delivery instructions change, require two-step confirmation through verified channels. After delivery, make post-trip audits a standard practice, reviewing paperwork, GPS logs, and timestamps to catch discrepancies early.
Fraud prevention isn’t paperwork; it’s protection. Controlling who touches your freight, both digitally and physically, closes one of the biggest doors thieves exploit.
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5. Strengthen Financial Safeguards
Even with strong prevention, theft can still happen — and when it does, your financial readiness determines how quickly you recover. ATRI’s findings highlight a common pitfall: too many carriers rely solely on insurance, assuming it will cover every loss. In reality, it rarely does.
That’s why financial preparedness matters. When theft delays payments or adds unexpected costs, steady cash flow becomes your best line of defense. Keep enough working capital — through savings, a credit line, or factoring — to cover essentials like fuel, payroll, and repairs while waiting on reimbursements or claims.
Insurance can help you recover, but liquidity keeps you moving. Financial safeguards turn theft from a business crisis into a short-term challenge — and that’s the difference between reacting and staying resilient.
6. Use Factoring as a Resilience Tool
When theft disrupts your operations, access to cash can make the difference between a quick recovery and a long slowdown. Factoring provides carriers with the flexibility of turning unpaid invoices into immediate working capital to cover expenses, fund new loads, and keep their business running.
ATRI’s findings show that theft losses often trigger a chain reaction: delayed payments, canceled routes, and tighter cash flow. Factoring breaks that cycle, ensuring you have steady liquidity even when disruptions occur.
Beyond recovery, factoring also fuels prevention. Reliable cash flow allows you to reinvest in improved locks, tracking systems, and driver training before the next incident occurs.
Summar Financial: a Smart Ally for Growth
Staying protected isn’t just about preventing theft — it’s about being ready for anything that follows. That’s where Summar Financial becomes your strategic ally.
We understand the challenges small and mid-size carriers face when cash flow is tight or operations are disrupted. Our freight factoring programs keep your business moving, even when unexpected costs arise. With true non-recourse protection, same-day funding, and transparent terms, Summar helps you maintain the financial stability you need to operate with confidence.
Our signature program, Summar Shield, goes beyond traditional non-recourse factoring. It’s a protection system designed to safeguard your payments even when clients don’t pay — with no chargebacks, no time limits, and no surprises.
In a high-theft environment, factoring isn’t just a financial solution; it’s a safeguard for your business’s continuity and growth.
Final Thoughts
Cargo theft may continue to evolve, but so will the trucking community’s determination to stay ahead. ATRI’s 2025 findings make it clear: prevention, coordination, and financial readiness are now the pillars of success.
With the right mindset, technology, and funding partner, small carriers and owner-operators can protect their business and turn resilience into a competitive advantage. Summar Financial gives you the tools to do exactly that — from immediate cash flow to complete peace of mind through Summar Shield.
Protect your business. Strengthen your cash flow. Stay ahead of cargo theft.
Visit summar.com to explore factoring solutions designed for carriers like you nor contact us now to talk to out team.