Freight Fraud Alert: Cybercriminals Go After Shipments & Shipping Lines

Freight fraud is getting smarter—and more aggressive. In Q2 2025, nearly half a million fake emails and more than 42,000 scam phone calls were flagged in the freight sector, according to a new report from Highway.

The data shows a 41% increase in fraudulent emails and a 23% rise in identity fraud compared to the first quarter. Scammers are working across multiple channels, hijacking inboxes, spoofing phone numbers, and even acquiring carrier operating authorities (MC numbers) to look legitimate.

“Freight fraud isn’t just opportunistic anymore—it’s coordinated and strategic,” said Michael Grace, Vice President of Customer Risk Management at Highway. “Attackers are gaining trust, mimicking legitimate behavior, and infiltrating networks through identity blind spots brokers and carriers don’t even realize exist.”

One common tactic: breaking into Gmail, Yahoo, or Microsoft inboxes that lack multi-factor authentication. Once inside, scammers intercept rate confirmations, impersonate dispatchers, and reroute payments.

Phone scams are also on the rise. Fraudsters pretend to be carriers, calling brokers to alter contact details or request payment documents. In Q2 alone, Highway identified a 37% jump in suspicious phone calls.

Fraud rings are also snapping up MC numbers and changing ownership records to fly under the radar. In June, there was a 135% spike in questionable MC ownership changes, often linked to cargo theft.

“If you don't know who you're working with, you're giving fraud a head start. Identity checks should be standard, not optional,” said Grace.

Holiday weekends are a known target. Half of all thefts in May happened during Memorial Day week, when teams are short-staffed and shipment volume is high. “Bad actors take advantage of the long weekend to target perishables, electronics, and seasonal inventory,” Grace added.

Brokers are being urged to verify contact info, review MC activity, use MFA, and train teams on the latest red flags.

“Fraudsters are patient. They’re watching, waiting, and moving when your defenses are down,” said Grace.

By: SupplyChain247