Let’s talk numbers for a hot second. Strategic freight theft has risen 1,500% since the first quarter of 2021. Yes, you read that right. And these schemes are costing the American economy up to $35 billion a year. 

If you’re in this industry, you’re getting exposed to it. Period. While we wish we could say Tallgrass has been immune to it, but that’s not the reality. “The level of creativity these fraudsters bring to stealing or double brokering loads is honestly impressive — in the worst possible way,” says Tallgrass President Sean Richardson. “These are very well thought-out schemes.”

We’re talking about sophisticated networks of 25-30 people running coordinated operations. They’re impersonating legitimate carriers, manipulating MC #, sending phishing emails to capture your data and posting fake loads. The audacity. 

If there’s one thing that’s absolutely clear, it’s that doing your due diligence is so important in this climate. Get our expert tips on how you can stay protected, and learn how we come alongside our agents to stay steps ahead of freight fraud. 

 

The Real Risks of Freight Fraud 

When fraud strikes, the consequences are steep. Financial damage is significant, and losing a high-value shipment can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. But the damage can go even deeper than that. 

A compromised load can shake even the strongest customer relationships. And in this business, trust is everything. Your reputation can potentially take a hit too. One incident can plant seeds of doubt that take years to shake off. For independent agents, these risks cut especially deep because a single fraudulent transaction can chip away at the book of business you’ve worked so hard to grow.

As Sean reminds us, “When everything goes smoothly, anyone can look like a rockstar. But when there’s a problem — like a damaged claim or a stolen load — that’s when your customers see your true value. How you rise to the occasion makes all the difference.” That’s exactly why we see every secure, on-time delivery as more than just a transaction. It’s a promise kept, and it’s one we’ll protect at all costs. 

 

Freight Fraud Red Flags 

Always trust your gut. If something smells fishy, it probably is. Here’s what to watch for: 

• Know Your High-Theft Targets: Things like electronics, household goods, and certain metals are like candy to freight thieves. Try not to put valuable cargo with brand new carriers you’ve never worked with. But if you have to, plan for extra steps: name checks, tractor/trailer verification and confirmation directly with the carrier.
• Communication That Feels Off: Sketchy responses, incomplete information or carriers who won’t give you straight answers? Make that a hard pass. 
• Rates That Are Too Good to Be True: If a carrier’s offering a rate well below market value, there’s probably a reason. And that reason usually involves them making money on the back end by double brokering your load. 
• Free Email Domains: Getting emails from Gmail or Yahoo domains? It’s not always a red flag, but worth due diligence. Take the extra step and call the carrier directly. We’ve caught many fraudsters this way.
• No GPS or Tracking: That’s a no-go. Every shipment needs visibility.

Your shippers and consignees are a great line of defense as well, and they’re good at it. Always give them the carrier name, truck number, trailer number and driver name. When any of those don’t match up at pickup or delivery, alarms should be going off. Customers have called us to say, “Hey, it’s supposed to be truck number 542, but truck number 1800 just showed up.” That’s how we catch the bad guys before they disappear with the freight.

 

How Tallgrass Has Your Back in Preventing Freight Fraud

Here’s where we get to brag a little (because we’re not afraid to). Our carrier compliance team has stopped no fewer than 50 potential double broker or stolen load scenarios just this year. This expert team does the deep dives, makes the extra phone calls and follows up with insurance companies to verify everything is legitimate. That’s the Tallgrass difference. Working with Tallgrass means having the support and collaboration needed to be a real advocate for your customers and spot trouble before it starts.

 

Protect What You’ve Built

Fraud doesn’t rest, and neither do we. Combating it takes the right vigilance, the right processes and the right partnership, so you can protect your business and serve your customers better than ever.

As Sean puts it, “Never rush into putting a carrier on a load just because you feel the pressure. Pause. Double-check. If something feels wrong, walk away. It’s always better to delay a shipment than gamble with your customer’s trust.” And remember, you don’t have to face it alone. At Tallgrass Freight, you have the backing of compliance, technology and leadership you can count on, plus the security of a support team that treats every load like it’s their own. 

If you’re ready to take the next step in your freight career and join a network that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with you against challenges like freight fraud, we’re ready to welcome you. Contact our team today to start the conversation.