‘Tis the season to be security-smart! According to CargoNet, cargo theft incidents over long holiday weekends are higher than any other period during the year. With the holidays just around the corner, cargo criminals take advantage of this extended “shopping” time.
Intact Inland Marine is pleased to announce their new membership with CargoNet, a network that helps prevent cargo theft and increases recovery rates by facilitating secure information sharing among theft victims, their business partners and law enforcement.
As the Christmas and New Year holiday weekends approach, take a moment to review these tips and best practices provided by CargoNet on cargo protection:
Supply Chain Fraud
- Cargo thieves enjoy the holidays because shipping volume of desirable goods increases, as does demand. Freight brokers should be extra diligent during the holiday season as fictitious pickups increase.
- End-of-day transactions should have strict vetting processes; a second look by a supervisor prior to tendering a load to a carrier may prevent a theft.
- A trucker that is willing to take an undesirable load for a lower rate than the industry standard may be setting you up for a theft.
- Fuel advance, hostage load, and line haul scams also increase a few days before a holiday. Prior to issuing the fuel advance, call the shipper to confirm that the load was picked up. Do not accept incoming calls from a shipper trying to tell you the driver is there–it could be the scammers spoofing the phone number of the shipper.
In-Transit Cargo
- Make sure that both security managers and drivers have accurate license plate, VIN, and descriptive information for tractors, trailers, containers, and container chassis. Police agencies will need this information to open an investigation in the event of an incident. Drivers should keep this information on them so they can quickly reference it if their truck is stolen.
- Secure all trailers (loaded and unloaded) with high-security ISO 17712- compliant barrier seals in combination with hardened padlocks. Use king pin locks for unattached trailers.
- Secure all tractors with high-security locking devices, such as air-cuff and steering column locks.
- Remind drivers to arrive at point of pickup well-rested, showered, and fed and with a full tank of fuel.
- Avoid having loaded trailers sit unattended when employees are not present.
Warehouse/Distribution
- Check to make sure the entire facility is in good working order. This should include lighting, backup generators, alarm system(s), surveillance equipment, perimeter fencing, and any other type of barrier.
- Remove keys from all facility equipment and place them in a secure location, especially motorized pallet jacks and forklifts.
- Never treat any alarm signal as a false alarm. When targeting warehouse locations, cargo thieves tend to trip facility alarm systems multiple times before a break-in to give law enforcement and facility managers the impression that the alarm system is broken.
- Encourage documentation and reporting of all suspicious activity that occurs in and around a facility to security personnel and the CargoNet command center. This information can be critical to law enforcement in the event of a cargo theft incident.
- Ask local police agencies to make routine checks of facilities during holiday downtime.
Their 24/7/365 command center is now implemented in our claims reporting process for cargo losses, and you can learn more here. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Steve Lavallee at 781.332.7915. Have a safe and happy holiday season!
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute and is not intended to take the place of legal or risk management advice. Readers should consult their own counsel or other representatives for any such advice. Any and all third-party websites or sources referred to herein are for informational purposes only and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Intact Insurance Group USA LLC (“Intact”). Intact hereby disclaims any and all liability arising out of the information contained herein.