Cargo Theft Spikes in Georgia, Maryland and Pennsylvania Prompt State, Federal Response

The June 2025 Cargo Security Index, from GearTrack, CargoNet, and VeriskCargo revealed an increase in cargo theft of beverages, appliances, and mixed consumer goods like TVs bound for major retailers – matching historical trends around Memorial Day week. Additionally, sophisticated fraud schemes are accelerating theft in high-volume states like Georgia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

In response to these thefts, Georgia is ramping up efforts with a $44.5M Customs inspection hub launching this July, and recently the Senate introduced federal legislation promising tougher tools to combat freight fraud effectively.

Top Cargo Theft Findings Include:

• • • Emerging Hot Spots: California still leads in thefts, but states like Georgia (+34%), Maryland (+26%), and Pennsylvania (+22%) are rapidly catching up.
    • Targeted Goods: Electronics theft skyrocketed 28% last month, with household goods seeing a concerning 33% jump, indicating a sharp rise in theft sophistication.
    • Advanced Tactics: Fraudulent carriers and cargo rerouting schemes are becoming a thief’s weapon of choice, fueling the increase in inland cargo theft.

“Multi-modal ports and high-volume hubs like Savannah, Chicago, and Dallas remain high-risk, with somecargo stolen within hours of arrival. In response to the rise in cargo theft, federal and regional agencies are beginning to take action,” said Ilan Gluck, General Manager, GearTrack.

“A new $44.5 million U.S. Customs inspection warehouse will open in July at Savannah’s Garden City Terminal, addressing a key vulnerability by keeping containers onsite during inspection. At the federal level, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee advanced the bipartisan Household Goods ShippingConsumer Protection Act, aimed at restoring FMCSA’s enforcement authority and equipping the agency tocombat freight fraud.

“When combined with tech-driven solutions like real-time tracking, this bill strengthens our industry’s ability to detect, deter, and respond to threats across the supply chain,” said Gluck.

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