Communication-Based Fraud Becomes the Primary Threat to Freight Networks

The methods used to steal freight are changing rapidly. Instead of creating fake carrier identities or relying on traditional cargo theft, organized criminal groups are increasingly exploiting trusted communication channels - compromised email accounts, spoofed phone numbers, account takeovers and digital impersonation - to divert shipments before they ever leave the dock. The result is a shift in how freight crime is executed, with attacks increasingly targeting the communication and verification processes that underpin modern logistics operations.

Brice Cruchon, CEO of Dracula Technologies, highlighted another dimension of the problem: "When you are transporting high-value goods, even a short interruption can create a real risk, especially across complex, long-distance supply chains." He argued that continuous tracking helps eliminate visibility gaps that organized criminal groups can exploit during transit.

Communication-Based Fraud is the Primary Threat to Freight Networks. Brice Cruchon, CEO of Dracula Technologies

According to Highway's Q2 2026 Freight Fraud Index, communication-based attacks accounted for half of all classified freight fraud incidents during the second quarter of 2026, up from 42.7% in the previous quarter. The findings suggest that fraudsters are adapting as identity verification becomes more sophisticated, choosing to compromise trusted relationships instead of creating entirely new identities.

Communication Channels Become the New Attack Surface

The report reflects a broader shift in cargo crime that has been emerging across the logistics sector. Highway says it blocked more than 784,000 fraudulent inbound emails during the quarter, while attempts using spoofed or fraudulent phone calls exceeded 109,000, both posting sharp increases over the previous quarter. The company also recorded a 282% jump in attempts to impersonate its own brand, highlighting how attackers are increasingly targeting organizations involved in carrier verification.

Rather than relying on fake carrier registrations alone, criminals are exploiting existing business relationships and trusted identities. Compromised inboxes, social engineering campaigns and impersonation attempts allow attackers to appear legitimate long enough to redirect high-value shipments before anyone recognizes that communication has been compromised.

Demi Ramon, Vice President of Risk at Highway, summarized the trend: "Almost every successful theft starts with a bad actor exploiting your trust. They're counting on a compromised contact method to appear legitimate."

The findings align with broader warnings from U.S. authorities that cyber-enabled cargo theft is becoming increasingly sophisticated, combining digital deception with traditional freight diversion techniques.

Regulation Raises the Bar, But Criminals Adapt

The quarter coincided with several important regulatory developments in the United States. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) continued its transition to the Motus carrier registration platform, while the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that freight brokers may face negligent hiring claims under certain circumstances. During the same period, the FMCSA also removed 15 electronic logging device providers from its approved list for failing to meet federal standards.

Together, these developments have increased pressure on brokers to strengthen carrier qualification and identity verification processes before freight is tendered.

The industry's growing focus on identity verification mirrors concerns raised by security professionals in recent weeks. Speaking to Security Guys News, Brian Jacobsen, Senior Manager of Capacity and Network Optimization at ITS Logistics, said: "Cargo theft has evolved from opportunistic, armed robberies into strategic, data-driven, organized crime operations." He noted that identity fraud, compromised email accounts and impersonation have become central tactics used to infiltrate freight networks before shipments begin moving.

Highway argues that tighter registration requirements have made it increasingly difficult for criminals to establish entirely new fraudulent carriers, pushing many toward hijacking legitimate identities instead. According to the report, ownership-change fraud represented more than one quarter of reported theft cases during the quarter, reinforcing concerns that attackers increasingly seek to exploit existing trust relationships rather than create new ones.

Identity Verification Moves Beyond Compliance

The report suggests that carrier verification can no longer be viewed as a one-time compliance exercise. Instead, identity must be continuously validated throughout the booking and shipment lifecycle as communication channels themselves become potential attack vectors.

Michael Caney, Chief Commercial Officer at Highway, said: "The Montgomery ruling didn't just raise the bar for negligence claims; it raised the bar for what verification actually means. Brokers need to treat identity and security of cargo as ongoing and contextual."

While cybersecurity tools, AI-driven fraud detection and identity verification technologies continue to improve, the report argues that technology alone is insufficient. Effective protection increasingly depends on combining digital verification with disciplined operational processes, continuous monitoring and consistent communication controls across the supply chain.

As freight fraud becomes increasingly digital, the challenge for brokers and shippers is no longer limited to protecting cargo in transit. It is ensuring that every instruction, booking confirmation and shipment handoff originates from the legitimate party before freight begins moving.