Note: For any emergency situation, including an active theft incident, call 911. For immediate support, and when safe to do so, we encourage you to notify your company’s dispatcher. Additionally, if you’re an onboarded Relay carrier, you can also notify Amazon through Click to Call.
Across North America, cargo theft is up 300%, with annual losses now over $20 billion each year. To increase awareness of suspicious behavior and protect loads while in transit, we’ve pulled together best practices for load security.
For more information, see TAPA (Transported Asset Protection Association)’s cargo theft prevention standards.
What is cargo theft?
Cargo theft refers to the criminal act of stealing freight during commercial shipment, and it can lead to shipment disruptions, loss of trust, and an increase in insurance claims and premiums. There are different types of cargo theft.
- Intrusion: Cargo thieves try to get access to a shipment, e.g. they attempt to break or manipulate the trailer’s seal for unauthorized access.
- Deception: Cargo thieves try to trick brokers, carriers, shippers, and drivers to hand over a load. For example, they may 1) stop a driver while impersonating an authority, 2) attempt to redirect a driver from their original destination, 3) alter caller IDs to appear as a trustworthy source, or 4) intentionally block communication, such as voice calls or alarms.
- Hijacking: Cargo thieves try to steal freight from a truck or other vehicle after forcing it to stop. Usually, hijackers either follow you before trying to take control of the vehicle or drive in front of you at a constant speed to monitor your driving behavior.
Pre-trip tips
- Check all documentation: Make sure drivers are carrying all the necessary trip documentation, such as the Bill of Lading (BOL).
- Check seals: Make sure that seals are applied correctly, match the seal number included on the BOL, and check the integrity of the seals. For Amazon loads, BOL/seal matching is important both from a chain of custody and a security standpoint – any mismatches can indicate load tampering.
- Use secondary security measures if possible: Provide an extra layer of protection for the cargo, such as a personal lock, or locking fuel caps and anti-siphoning devices to prevent fuel thefts.
- Avoid discussing shipment details with strangers: For carriers and drivers alike, this helps maintain the confidentiality and security of shipments.
- Locate secure parking areas: Find well-lit, monitored parking areas along your route in advance and avoid early arrivals at delivery facilities.
- Verify delivery addresses: Confirming any address changes helps prevent diversions and make sure the shipment reaches its intended destination. Amazon will never call or email you to re-route freight or change a delivery address – the most up-to-date load information will immediately be in the Relay driver app.
On-the-road tips
Theft is usually a crime of opportunity, so maintaining situational awareness in parking lots, on highways, and in unsecured yards is key to avoiding cargo theft. Here’s how.
- Stay vigilant: Stick to your planned itinerary and notify your dispatching center of any changes. Keep all doors and windows locked while driving, and pay attention to any suspicious or unusual activities, vehicles, or individuals.
- Follow a safe stopping procedure: If you need to make a stop, lock the tractor and turn off the engine. If there are two drivers, we recommend one of the drivers stay with the vehicle at all times when stopped. If possible, the trailer should be backed to a hard surface (e.g. a wall, building, another trailer/vehicle) in order to prevent access to doors.
- Conduct physical checks: After stopping, inspect the trailer, seal, lock, and any other compartments or access panels. Note any signs of intrusion or attempts to access the trailer.
- Maintain communication: For safety and reporting suspicious behavior, keep frequent contact with your company’s dispatch center (and if you’re an onboarded Relay carrier, our support center).
How to report a cargo theft
In the event of cargo theft, you’ll need to relay clear, accurate, timely information about the situation to the police and your dispatch or manager. Be prepared to provide details.
- Pre-establish your response plan: Readiness allows for quick and effective action in the event of a breach. For example, never confront the suspects–it can put your life at risk. If your truck is equipped with a panic button, press it, or try to communicate with your monitoring or dispatching center. As part of your ongoing response protocols, we recommend staying up to date on the latest cargo theft threats and best practices.
- Contact law enforcement: Doing this first is essential for a thorough investigation and preventing future occurrences of cargo theft. Safely gather as much information as you can about the suspects and preserve the crime scene (try not to touch anything until the police arrive). Most commonly, you’ll be asked for:
- Name of driver
- Vehicle license plate (truck and trailer)
- Vehicle characteristics (color, brand, etc.)
- Vehicle location (city, landmark, etc.)
- Type of incident
- If medical support is needed
Note: After calling the police and their carrier, drivers hauling Amazon loads must request a callback from our support team as soon as they can safely do so. Amazon Relay carriers must also report loss prevention issues in the Relay support center with relevant documentation, such as a police report.
Join a culture of security
While these are just a few pre-trip and over-the-road best practices to prevent cargo theft, Relay offers additional security trainings, such as trailer seal management. To access the training and become a Relay carrier, start your application on desktop or the Relay app on iOS or Android. But first, check out Relay’s carrier requirements to make sure hauling for Amazon is the right fit for your business.
Disclaimer: Amazon does not tender loads through any third-party load boards. Any Amazon loads posted on third-party load boards will only be tendered directly to approved and onboarded carriers via the Relay web portal or Relay mobile app. If you are interested in hauling loads for Amazon, sign up and book directly on relay.amazon.com.
