Freight Pulse & Law Update: Thieves Take Over Real Carriers as Contract Rates Reset 12.6% Higher

Thieves allegedly took over real trucking companies, including their DOT numbers, to steal at least 24 loads worth more than $12 million. Meanwhile, the cost of a failed routing guide is now measurable.

Shippers should tighten carrier vetting this week and review routing guides before renewals: verify ownership, email and contact changes on FMCSA records, and track backup-carrier costs so fraud exposure and rising spend don't compound.

How did thieves steal $12 million using real carriers?

A criminal complaint alleges a group bought or took control of existing carriers, then posed as the owners to book loads through brokers. Each load was picked up, but never reached its consignee. Charges are allegations; the defendant has pleaded not guilty.

• The alleged scheme began around September 2025.

• At least 24 stolen loads: electronics, hard drives, clothing, food, nicotine products.

• The value tied to the defendant alone exceeds $12 million.

• Stolen assets included carriers' USDOT and MC numbers, business email accounts and owners' identities. Source: FreightWaves

An active DOT number and insurance certificate no longer prove who controls a carrier. Third party logistics providers should verify ownership and contact changes before releasing freight.

What do the new contract-rate numbers show?

SONAR data as of Oct. 20 puts new truckload contract base rates 12.58% above the rates they replaced, versus an 8.34% 12-month average. Second-tender loads run a median 22% more all-in, third-tender about 26% more, and first-tender acceptance slipped to 89.05% from a 91.6% average. Source: FreightWaves/SONAR

Context: Brent rose 2.2% to $111.19 after tanker-damage reports in the Strait of Hormuz, and diesel futures jumped 16 cents.

I-95 regional watch: Maryland

MDTA's overnight lane closures at the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) and Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895) wrapped Oct. 22, and Bay Bridge (US 50/301) traffic patterns run through Oct. 24. No new advisories are posted past that date, so recheck the MDTA advisories before weekend I-95 dispatches.

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