Rise in Freight Fraud Attempts Highlights Need for Enhanced Security Measures

The freight and logistics industry is facing an unprecedented surge in identity-based fraud attempts, as revealed by Highway's Q2 2025 Freight Fraud Index. With over 495,000 fraudulent email attempts and 42,000 suspicious phone numbers flagged and blocked, the data underscores a growing threat that demands immediate attention. This marks a 41% increase in fraudulent email attempts and a 23% rise in broker-reported identity fraud compared to Q1 2025, highlighting the sophisticated and coordinated nature of these attacks.

Michael Grace, Vice President of Customer Risk Management at Highway, emphasizes the strategic approach of modern fraudsters, who exploit identity blind spots to infiltrate networks. The index points to compromised inboxes, phone-based impersonation, and illegitimate motor carrier (MC) ownership changes as key drivers of theft. Notably, attacks on Microsoft SharePoint servers and other platforms have compromised over 400 organizations, including government agencies, signaling a widespread vulnerability.

In response, Highway has introduced Secure Rate Con Delivery and Highway for VoIP, innovative solutions designed to combat email and phone-based fraud. These tools ensure that only verified users can access sensitive information and detect fraudulent calls before they reach their targets. Despite these advancements, the industry must remain vigilant, especially during peak periods like Memorial Day week, which saw 50% of reported thefts due to reduced staffing and high shipment volumes.

Highway advocates for a proactive approach to fraud prevention, recommending secure delivery methods for rate confirmations, verification of contact changes, and the adoption of multi-factor authentication. As fraudsters become more observant and patient, the importance of real-time identity verification cannot be overstated. For more information on combating freight fraud, visit Highway's website.