Highway’s Q3 Index reveals one clear truth: while fraudsters continue to adapt, most thefts are still entirely preventable through disciplined proven fundamentals. Effectiveness lies in the basics—vigilance, verification, and communication across every stakeholder in the freight transaction.
From inbox takeovers to stolen MCs and direct thefts, the freight ecosystem continues to face growing fraud risks. For brokers, most of these attacks share the same red flags, the key is spotting them early and sticking to the basics every time.
It’s critical to look at where fraud begins. Each quarter, Highway analyzes the core vectors driving freight fraud and recognizing them early is the key to staying protected.
The Most Common Point of Entry: Compromised Inboxes
Phishing and inbox takeovers remain the leading cause of freight fraud, with over 1.45 million fraudulent emails blocked by Highway in the first nine months of 2025, already surpassing last year’s total.
Why do attackers love email? It’s easy. A single compromised account gives them access to everything they need. Once inside, they quietly hijack real conversations and can impersonate trusted carriers.
Red flags to watch for:
- Slightly altered domains, usually a one character difference (like @transp0rtco.com instead of @transportco.com)
- Sudden urgency or last-minute changes (i.e rerouting payment, requesting rate con again)
- Carriers who suddenly stop answering calls and only communicate by email
- Requesting PDF rate confirmations and refusing to accept rate cons through a secure, digital acceptance links
Stolen MCs Schemes
Ownership-change manipulation continues to be one of freight’s most persistent fraud tactics. Even as Highway data shows a 21% decline in Q3, it remains a leading source of loss..
Fraudsters take over or buy MC numbers with good reputations, then use them to impersonate legitimate carriers and book loads under false pretenses. On paper, the carrier may seem legitimate, but there are signals to be aware of.
Red flags to watch for:
- Insurance updates or policy shifts that don’t fit historical behavior
- Ownership changes clustered around known fraud patterns
- New logins or dispatch activity from unfamiliar locations
Schedule a demo to see how you can check this information in Highway.
Rogue Carriers: When Theft Happens From Within
Even as overall theft numbers declined in Q3, direct carrier-involved thefts rose as a percentage of total fraud. These “rogue carriers” manipulate proof-of-delivery documents, partially deliver shipments, or disappear altogether.
Most targeted commodities this quarter:
- Meat, seafood, and frozen goods
- Consumer electronics and technology
- Alcohol and specialty beverages
Red flags to watch for:
- Carrier pushes for rapid assignment or same-day pickup with no prior relationship
- Frequent driver switches or unverified phone numbers near pickup
- Carrier refuses to share location history or claims ELD malfunction
- Carrier has multiple recent MC or contact changes
The Broker Fraud Prevention Checklist: Stay Ahead This Holiday Season
Here’s the checklist every broker should follow to prevent freight fraud:
- Verify every booking through an outbound call. Treat email as a signal, not proof. Always confirm critical requests with an outbound phone call.
- Spot-check every contact. Validate email domains and phone numbers through an identity platform like Highway before booking.
- Secure your rate confirmations with two-factor authentication and digital acceptance rather than email attachments to protect sensitive load information that bad actors seek.
- Monitor for unusual account behavior (overbooked, unexpected changes to insurance or ownership) and force re-verification when anomalies appear.
- Confirm delivery directly with your shipper customers
- Report suspicious activity immediately to your compliance team and Highway. Rapid response can aid recovery.
The difference between prevention and loss often comes down to consistent processes and the right tools.
With platforms like Highway, brokers can turn verification into their strongest line of defense, ensuring every carrier interaction is trusted, verified, and secure. Want to see Highway in action? Book a demo.
