When copper prices reached nearly $6.50 per pound in January, you could almost hear the industry’s collective gasp.
To be fair, we’ve all seen the writing on the wall for years. Between tightening global supplies, sky-high demand, tariff drama, and geopolitical tensions, the industry is scrambling.
However, rising copper prices threaten more than our ever-growing appetite — they pose significant supply chain risks. As the market pushes the metal’s value to new heights, theft concerns increase too.
But how do copper thefts occur, why are they happening, and what can we do to prevent them?
Freight and cargo thefts impact every industry.
According to data compiled by Verisk CargoNet, freight theft poses a massive supply chain threat. In 2025, companies reported nearly 3,600 thefts across the U.S. and Canada, which is slightly less than 2024 levels.
However, despite a miniscule improvement in theft rates, the cost of those incidents is striking. Verisk CargoNet’s data showed a 59% increase in losses from 2024 to 2025, rising to roughly $725 million.
Unfortunately, metal theft was even worse, spiking 77% year-over-year. So, what gives?
The problem relates to rising metal costs across the board, including copper.
When copper prices rise, materials become more attractive to criminals. It also doesn’t help that large copper shipments are a high-value target for criminals. Full trailers can easily carry $100k worth of wire, turning them into juicy targets.
The other strike against copper is that it’s fairly easy to sell for scrap with little traceability. Once criminals steal copper wiring, they can quickly strip any insulation and melt the metal down. From there, it’s basically indistinguishable from any other copper.
States, however, are doing their part to reduce thefts and make the copper scrapping process more accountable. Today, every state has laws to curb metal theft. The hope is that by making it easier to trace metal products, they will be less attractive for prospective criminals.
For more information, the Recycled Materials Association has a regularly updated guide that covers laws in all 50 states.
Copper theft doesn’t always involve breaking into abandoned homes. Today’s thieves are smarter, bolder, and better prepared, with their eyes on much larger targets.
Organized crime groups are using sophisticated technology and social engineering concepts to infiltrate the supply chain. Once in, these groups can easily steal finished products without leaving a trace.
“The risk of theft has always existed, but with advances in technology, we are now seeing new methods through which freight can be stolen,” KrisTech’s Director of Supply Chain, Marcus Tagliaferri, said.
But how can criminals access materials so easily and get away with it? In many cases, crime groups seek out and exploit weak points in the supply chain.
You’re only as good as your weakest link. If that link is your vetting system, you’re vulnerable to a multitude of problems.
Criminals may target companies with sub-par vetting systems, especially those posting high-value shipments on job boards. A shifty thief may pose as a potential carrier using a fake name and credentials to bid on and win pickups.
If the criminal wins the job bid, they may use forged paperwork to collect the materials, then vanish. And because all the information provided is fake, it’s difficult for authorities or the company to recover stolen goods.
In this instance, a criminal will try to learn pick-up information from the shipper. Once they have the information they need, the thief will then swoop in before the real truck arrives, load up, and leave.
The trick to this process is making their operation look legit. Criminals may mark trucks to mimic companies, then use fake credentials, insurance, and dispatchers to complete the ruse.
“For many companies, the buck stops at the loading dock—it is the last line of defense,” Tagliaferri explained. “Implementing a thorough driver and carrier verification process is critical to preventing and mitigating most freight theft risks.”
Additionally, the trick could morph into impersonating pickup yards. When this happens, shippers may unknowingly release shipments to bad actors, leaving their entire load at risk.
Double brokering happens when illegal brokers accept shipments and then give them to other brokers.
Shipments often then disappear with the carrier, leaving behind an inconsistent and fraudulent paper trail.
No surprises here, just a momentary lapse in judgment is all a criminal needs to complete the job.
Trucks carrying high-value materials become targets when left alone. Criminals may follow these trucks to rest stops and break in while the driver rests. And unlike other methods, thieves don’t need a fake moustache or doctored documents.
In a matter of minutes, criminals can unlock the truck, unload shipments into waiting trailers, and leave.
Thefts cause more than lost revenue; they shake trust and damage fragile supply chain elements. When products go missing because of crime, ripples cascade through the entire system.
For manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and consumers, lost shipments lead to lost revenue, delays, lower profits, and angry customers.
Beyond the physical issues caused by stolen materials, theft also breeds supply chain uncertainty. Thefts have a unique way of highlighting critical errors in a now unsecured system, forcing companies to rethink everything. And if enough events occur over time, companies may find new shipping partners.
Shippers may also face a litany of insurance issues and penalties. If the insurance company proves negligence, they may not cover the amount of the lost shipment.
When trucking companies are the target of theft, they face a similar level of damage.
More thefts often mean higher insurance costs to cover the increased risk. They also contend with a weaker industry reputation, thanks to the damage caused by fraudsters using their name or trucks.
Finally, there’s the issue of compliance. Trucking companies could risk their drivers losing their CDLs or facing penalties for their role.
For honest organizations caught in an unfortunate situation, even one missing shipment can create a high-stress situation for everyone involved.
But brokers who fail to properly vet their partners risk damaging their reputations and losing business. Over time, their poor reputation may precede them, resulting in lost revenue opportunities caused by avoidance.
Customers, sadly, lose the most when thieves steal shipments.
From lost time and project delays to wasted labor costs and abandoned sales, customers face a slew of problems.
While a one-time thing might be easy enough to write up as a freak accident, it can still erode trust in their partners. If lost shipments occur too often, customers may seek new companies to work with.
The good news is that companies aren’t powerless to combat theft.
Supply chain managers have ways of reducing theft risks and avoiding potential pitfalls. In many cases, they only need to exercise common sense.
The blockchain is an emerging supply chain method that assigns specific data to each step of the shipping process. Each record is unique and secure, making it difficult for criminals to forge.
Companies should also watch for bids that seem too low to be believable. Criminals may underbid reliable and trustworthy companies, causing bottom-line-focused shippers to fall into their trap. From there, they use forged documents and fakes to gain access to shipments.
Finally, artificial intelligence (AI) can aid companies through the clever use of machine learning and high-tech security programs. This includes everything from GPS tracking systems in trucks to using complex camera systems that detect anomalies. If the systems see anything that looks, sounds, or seems strange, they can alert humans to the issue.
Certain areas and locations may be riskier for shippers than others.
For example, according to Verisk CargoNet data, California, Texas, and Illinois have the highest rates of theft. If companies ship to or from areas with higher theft risks, keep a close eye on shipments. This means encouraging truckers to park in safe, secure locations with good lighting and visibility. It may also mean parking trailers in a way that makes theft difficult, like against a fence.
Always communicate effectively with everyone in the supply chain and throughout logistics. If something seems off or if you have questions, sound the alarm and investigate.
Don’t let a slip in judgment lead to costly insurance penalties and fines.
Train logistics employees to understand what forged documents look like and to be careful when reviewing information. Beyond that, work with partners you trust, and thoroughly vet all shippers and brokers before booking them. If you need help, a third-party logistics (3PL) company can perform those checks on your behalf.
Finally, verify all data with carriers to ensure data points match, including that CDLs and VINs match the bill of lading (BOL).
“Working with well-established and verified 3PLs and carriers is an effective way to mitigate the risk of freight theft,” Tagliaferri said. “In addition, shippers should ensure that their carriers’ freight insurance policies adequately cover the full value of the cargo being transported. This is often overlooked, especially as the value of many commodities has increased in recent years.”
Safe shipping may not sound like a competitive advantage, but preventing freight theft also protects the bottom line.
When companies effectively manage shipments from the loading dock to the job site, it builds confidence in their organization. Additionally, those taking steps to protect high-value materials often see fewer mistakes and foster better customer relationships.
The opposite is true for those who cut corners or don’t do their due diligence. One mistake isn’t necessarily a death knell, but repeated issues create chaos. Eventually, customers lose trust, and once they leave, they may never come back.