The Airforwarders Association (AfA) has urged the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to set up a Federal Cargo Theft and Fraud Task Force, following it publoshed data showing eight in ten AfA members reporting a significant rise in organized theft and cyber-enabled fraud.
The findings of its survey form the basis of AfA’s formal response to DOT’s October 2025 Request for Information on cargo theft and fraud prevention. The results show that identity spoofing, fake carrier operations, and fraudulent use of Motor Carrier (MC) and DOT numbers are among the industry’s fastest-growing vulnerabilities.
AfA board member David King, of AB&M Logistics, and chair of AfA’s newly-formed Truck Fraud Committee, said: “Cargo crime is no longer an isolated problem; it is a coordinated, technology-driven threat affecting every part of the logistics chain. AfA members work across the global supply chain, and we see firsthand how inconsistent enforcement and limited data sharing leaves businesses exposed. We need stronger federal leadership and a unified approach to protect legitimate operators and customers alike.”
AfA’s survey found that 80% of respondents cited fragmented enforcement and unclear federal authority as major obstacles, while 75% reported multi-state barriers that hinder investigations. To address these challenges, AfA Executive Director Brandon Fried has proposed a dedicated task force led by DOT and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), working alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ).
He has also recommended a national cargo theft database powered by artificial intelligence, stricter carrier verification rules, and uniform federal penalties for repeat offenders.
Later, the AfA said it was disappointed that Congress was unable to reach an agreement on 23 October on measures to ensure essential federal workers are paid during the ongoing government shutdown as millions missed their first full paycheck.
Critical personnel at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continue to report for duty without pay, it said but as the shutdown continues, staff absence rates are expected to rise, endangering trade and public safety.
