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The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) has released its latest State of Fraud in the Industry report, and the findings are a stark reminder of the growing threat facing freight and logistics providers. According to the report, truckload freight has emerged as the most fraud-prone mode of transport, with incidents surging nationwide.
Between September 2024 and February 2025, TIA’s Watchdog platform recorded over 1,600 fraud reports – a 65% increase from the previous reporting period, despite covering two fewer months. This uptick highlights an escalation in frequency, but also in the sophistication and financial impact of fraud within the industry.
The consequences are hitting hard. Twenty-two percent of survey respondents reported losses of more than $200,000 due to fraud within just six months. Meanwhile, 10% of respondents said they had spent over $200,000 on fraud prevention measures alone; revealing the double-edged sword of both reacting to and defending against fraud.
Chris Burroughs, president and CEO of TIA, underscored the severity of the situation: “Strategic fraud and cargo theft in our industry has reached a boiling point. It’s no longer an inconvenience – it’s a crisis. Our members are telling us loud and clear: they need more support, better tools, and stronger action from federal regulators.”
One of the most concerning insights from the report is that 97% of respondents identified truckload freight as the mode most susceptible to fraud. While no part of the logistics chain is entirely immune, truckload operations are now seen as especially vulnerable.
The most common fraud tactic reported was unlawful brokerage. In these schemes, bad actors pose as legitimate brokers to steal freight loads or payments. A full 34% of respondents cited this as the top threat they face today.
Identity spoofing and cargo theft were also widely reported. Alarmingly, 83% of respondents said they had experienced at least three different types of fraud within the last six months, underscoring the multi-faceted nature of the problem.
Fraud isn't confined to any single hotspot, it’s a nationwide issue. However, the report did highlight several states that saw especially high volumes of fraudulent activity, including Texas, California, South Carolina, and Washington. These states are major hubs for freight activity, making them attractive targets for fraudsters looking to exploit high transaction volumes and busy lanes.
Nearly half of all reported thefts targeted household goods, electronics, and appliances – everyday items that are easily resold and thus particularly lucrative for thieves. This focus on high-demand consumer goods further increases the pressure on shippers and carriers to tighten security protocols and vet partners rigorously.
The rise in fraud has led many in the industry to invest heavily in prevention. This includes implementing more robust vetting processes, deploying advanced tracking and monitoring technologies, and increasing staff training on fraud detection and response.
Still, many stakeholders believe that more systemic solutions are needed. The TIA report calls for stronger federal oversight and better tools to support carriers and brokers in protecting themselves and their customers.
For shippers, these developments are a serious cause for concern. Fraud can delay shipments, increase costs, and damage reputations, all of which undermine the efficiency and reliability of supply chains.
Against this backdrop, having the right tools and partners is critical.
Portex is such a partner. By providing a secure, streamlined platform for quoting, bidding, and tracking shipments, Portex helps shippers minimize exposure to fraud while maintaining control over their freight operations. Its ratings and benchmarking capabilities, together with data-driven analytics and real-time visibility enable users to spot irregularities quickly, ensuring faster response times when issues arise.
