A new survey from Geotab Inc. shows that cargo theft remains a top-of-mind threat for U.S. fleet operators, with more than one-third (38%) saying they are more worried about it today than a year ago.
“Fleet operators are right to be concerned, and this data confirms their concerns are shared by the public,” says Emily Williams, head of transportation, business development at Geotab. “Cargo theft is bigger than operational losses for individual fleets, it's become a critical issue for supply chain integrity and the economy in general. Consumers are paying attention, and they feel the financial impact when the system is compromised. Being proactive is now the only way to protect your cargo and maintain a resilient supply chain for customers."
Key takeaways:
· Nearly as many fleet operators (34%) reported experiencing cargo theft incidents within the past 12 months. This rising concern comes as the United States heads into its busiest delivery period, a time when increased delivery volumes, congestion, and longer vehicle idling times create prime conditions for opportunistic theft.
· This industry concern is validated by a parallel Geotab survey of U.S. consumers, which found the problem is no longer invisible to the public. Half of Americans (51%) have experienced some form of cargo theft in the last year, often perceived as "lost" or "disappeared" deliveries.
- The data reveals a critical new challenge for the industry: consumers are connecting this theft directly to their wallets. More than one-third of consumers (37%) recognize that when cargo theft occurs, they ultimately end up paying higher prices. This public awareness shows that cargo theft is no longer just an internal industry problem; it's a visible disruption to the supply chain that directly impacts consumers.
