The Rise of Freight Fraud
- Joe Myers
- Jun 1
- 2 min read
Why Carrier Vetting Matters More Than Ever in 2026
Freight Fraud and Cargo Theft Are Surging.
We’re seeing:
Double brokering schemes
Identity theft of legitimate carriers
Stolen loads through fake dispatch setups
Carriers with clean records one week… and gone the next
In many cases, these issues aren’t caught because:
The vetting process is rushed
Teams rely too heavily on automation
Red flags are missed or ignored
Why Basic Vetting Isn’t Enough Anymore
Checking:
MC authority
Insurance
Basic safety rating
That’s the floor, not the standard.
Today, proper carrier vetting requires:
Reviewing inspection and violation trends
Monitoring recent authority or ownership changes
Watching for insurance flips or suspicious updates
Verifying contact information and dispatch legitimacy
Because fraud doesn’t look like fraud anymore.
It looks like a normal carrier, until it’s too late.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
When vetting fails, the impact is immediate:
Stolen freight
Missed deliveries
Production delays
Customer fallout
Potential legal exposure
And in some cases, lawsuits tied to negligent carrier selection.
How Lighthouse Approaches Carrier Vetting
At Lighthouse, we’ve always believed:
“It’s not the problem that loses customers—it’s the surprise.”
That’s why our approach focuses on:
Layered vetting processes (not just one system)
Real human review—not just automation
Continuous monitoring—not one-time checks
Clear documentation of every decision
What Shippers Should Be Asking Their Brokers
If you’re working with a logistics partner, ask:
What does your carrier vetting process actually look like?
How do you identify fraud before it happens?
What tools do you use—and what do you do beyond them?
How do you document your decisions?
If the answer is vague… that’s your answer.
Final Thoughts
The combination of legal pressure and rising fraud has changed the game.
Carrier vetting is no longer an operational step—it’s a risk management strategy.
And the companies that take it seriously will be the ones that avoid the costly mistakes others won’t see coming.