As the Labor Day weekend arrives, cargo theft activity is expected to reach dangerous new levels, according to a company that tracks and provides security against freight crimes.
An analysis by Verisk CargoNet of reported Labor Day thefts over the past five years reveals an escalation in theft that suggests unprecedented risk during the upcoming long weekend.
“Labor Day weekend has become a prime hunting ground for cargo thieves, with criminal activity more than doubling since 2020,” says Keith Lewis, vice president of Operations at Verisk CargoNet.
“Our analysis of 214 theft events between the Thursday before Labor Day through the Wednesday after over the past five years shows a clear pattern of escalating criminal behavior. Friday has emerged as the most dangerous day of the Labor Day period, accounting for 45 thefts over five years, with 2024’s Friday before Labor Day recording a record-high of 16 incidents in a single day.”
CargoNet says California and Texas remain the epicenters of Labor Day cargo theft activity, accounting for 85 of the 214 incidents analyzed, with crime highest in San Bernardino County, California, and Dallas County, Texas
Criminal organizations have demonstrated preferences for specific freight categories during holiday periods. They include:
Food and beverage shipments - particularly shellfish and pork - top the target list with 36 incidents
Electronics such as televisions (23 incidents)
Household goods like appliances and furniture (23 incidents)
Vehicle accessories, including tires and automotive parts, account for 18 incidents.
The surge in criminal activity has been particularly worrisome in 2025. Verisk CargoNet identified notable increases in reported cargo theft activity in the Northeast between June and August, particularly in New Jersey, where incidents have risen from 14 in 2023 to 36 in 2025.
“What makes this Labor Day weekend particularly concerning is the rise of sophisticated fraud schemes,” explains Lewis. “Organized criminal groups are purchasing established motor carriers with legitimate operating authority and strong reputations and using them as a front to book multiple high-value shipments. Once they’ve secured the freight, they disappear with the goods, often stealing several truckloads in a single day before the industry can react.”
CargoNet explains: These schemes are often highly coordinated. After acquiring a carrier, criminals rapidly schedule as many pickups as possible within a short time frame, often on the same day, to maximize their haul before shippers and brokers detect the fraud and cancel appointments.
The combination of extended holiday closures and reduced staffing levels before the long weekend creates an ideal environment for these tactics to succeed.
