For too long, freight thieves have made California, Texas, and Chicago their headquarters. Sadly, freight theft seem to be expanding.
As freight crime increasingly looks like a global enterprise, thieves are exploiting new, vulnerable areas across the United States to set up shop.
Here are the three new locations where freight theft is growing fast.
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The Three New Crime Hotspots
Los Angeles has long been the epicenter for organized freight crime. Quietly, crime seems to be moving inland.
San Joaquin and Kern Counties are observing a dramatic uptick in theft, up 44% and 82%, respectively, indicating a steady migration of thieves to previously low-profile areas.
California doesn’t have a monopoly on theft, though. These locations are booming in freight crime:
- New Jersey, up 50% year-over-year
- Indiana, up 30% year-over-year
- Pennsylvania, up 24% year-over-year
These are enormous increases in relatively stable corridors.
Why are thieves picking on new states? Like any good business, the answer is about opportunity.
Why Crime is Moving
Though thieves may be malicious, they aren’t stupid. As crime hubs like California, Texas, and Chicago increase their defenses to deter crime, criminals are targeting new locations with lesser security.
Places like New Jersey, Indiana, and Pennsylvania are prime candidates for the following reasons:
- They are interstate hubs—lots of product available for thieves
- They aren’t as developed as other urban junctions, making them less secure
- They are out of the spotlight, making for less judicial pressure as legislation catches up
Freight theft isn’t only moving, it’s changing.
Freight Thieves are Getting Better at Stealing
One statistic has analysts particularly alarmed: Freight volumes have stayed relatively stable year-over-year, but freight losses increased by 60%.
Thieves are getting better at stealing more valuable loads.
This observation, coupled with the migration of theft to more vulnerable hubs, paints a startling picture for carriers: freight theft is more sophisticated and widespread than ever.
For carriers, protecting against freight theft is no longer about double-checking locks before heading through California. In 2026, freight security requires a comprehensive strategy.
Protecting Yourself from Growing Freight Crime
Having a factoring company is one of the most effective ways to deter freight crime. Not only does factoring give you cash within 24 hours when you complete a load, but it can also:
- Add a layer of scrutiny through credit and background checks
- Equip you with a concerted team for flagging bad actions
- Support your business with individuals who can distinguish between authentic and questionable paperwork
Or, if you’re ready to start factoring, select your fleet size below to get started.
1-5 CARRIERS 5-15 CARRIERS 15+ CARRIERS
Freight crime is changing. As theft enterprises expand their presence and get better at doing no good, factoring is an essential tool to protect yourself.
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The England Carrier Services (ECS) division offers a range of services for carriers, from maintenance to support. As ECS members, carriers have access to nationwide discounts on fuel and tires from dedicated team members committed to finding the best price. ECS also provides factoring services with benefits such as same-day funding to a bank account or fuel card. These options allow carriers to focus on growing their businesses while saving time and money.