CargoNet Tracks $31.8M Labor Day Thefts

CargoNet, a Verisk company, has tracked $31.8 million in cargo thefts over Labor Day periods from 2021 to 2025. The company recorded 273 incidents across the United States during these seven-day windows, with the annual count increasing by 70% from 33 incidents in 2021 to 56 in 2025. The warning accompanies a five-year analysis covering Labor Day periods from 2021 through 2025. Verisk CargoNet recorded 273 incidents across the United States during those seven-day windows. Estimated commodity value reached approximately $31.8 million. Verisk released the findings Friday ahead of the 2026 holiday weekend.

Labor Day thefts climbed 70%

The annual count increased from 33 incidents in 2021 to 56 during 2025. That change represented a 70% jump. Activity reached a five-year high with 70 cases in 2024. CargoNet found that risk remained materially above levels recorded early within the period. Friday led every weekday with 55 incidents. Tuesday followed with 49, while Thursday produced 46 and Wednesday recorded 44. Those four days generated 194 cases, representing 71% of the entire analysis. The holiday weekend produced significantly fewer reports. Saturday accounted for 24 incidents, while Sunday had 28 and Labor Day Monday recorded 27. CargoNet connected this pattern with deceptive pickups and non-delivery schemes. Those crimes depend upon active phone lines, working employees and freight moving through normal channels. Such conditions decline during closures before returning around the weekend. CargoNet described two overlapping risks surrounding the holiday. Physical exposure develops when loaded freight remains stationary during closures or schedule disruptions. Verification exposure emerges when limited staffing combines with time pressure. Those conditions help criminals impersonate carriers, alter instructions or introduce fraudulent contact information.

Three states accounted for nearly half

California, Texas and Illinois accounted for 130 incidents, representing 48% of the five-year total. California led the country with 70 cases. Texas followed at 38, while Illinois recorded 22. Verisk connected this concentration with dense freight networks, large consumer markets and intermodal infrastructure. Food and beverage shipments led all commodity categories with 49 incidents. Household goods ranked second with 27, followed by electronics at 25. Vehicles and accessories accounted for 20 cases, while metals produced 11. CargoNet noted that these products offer strong resale opportunities through numerous illicit channels. The broader financial threat extends beyond Labor Day. CargoNet estimated cargo theft losses exceeded $359 million during 2026’s first six months. Average stolen commodity value reached approximately $341,518. Organized groups increasingly pursue expensive metals, enterprise technology components and other high-value freight. Verisk did not identify individual victims, suspects, carriers or investigations within the Labor Day analysis. The report provided no breakdown separating physical thefts from identity-based schemes. CargoNet also withheld individual loss amounts and recovery outcomes. Those details remain unknown from Friday’s announcement.

Why It Matters

Brokers, carriers and shippers face exposure before, during and after the holiday weekend. The findings show that routine business activity can give criminals more opportunities than complete closures.

Labor Day Theft Trends

The data shows that Friday led every weekday with 55 incidents, followed by Tuesday with 49, Thursday with 46, and Wednesday with 44. These four days generated 194 cases, representing 71% of the entire analysis. CargoNet connected this pattern with deceptive pickups and non-delivery schemes, which depend on active phone lines, working employees, and freight moving through normal channels. CargoNet described two overlapping risks surrounding the holiday: physical exposure and verification exposure. Physical exposure develops when loaded freight remains stationary during closures or schedule disruptions, while verification exposure emerges when limited staffing combines with time pressure, allowing criminals to impersonate carriers, alter instructions, or introduce fraudulent contact information.

State and Commodity Breakdown

California, Texas, and Illinois accounted for 130 incidents, representing 48% of the five-year total. California led the country with 70 cases, followed by Texas with 38 and Illinois with 22. The top commodity categories affected were food and beverage shipments, with 49 incidents, followed by household goods with 27, electronics with 25, vehicles and accessories with 20, and metals with 11.

Broader Financial Threat The broader financial threat extends beyond Labor Day, with CargoNet estimating cargo theft losses exceeding $359 million during 2026's first six months. Average stolen commodity value reached approximately $341,518, with organized groups increasingly pursuing expensive metals, enterprise technology components, and other high-value freight. According to the source, CargoNet's findings show that routine business activity can give criminals more opportunities than complete closures.