As freight activity surges in December, brokers face one of the most challenging periods of the year for supply chain security. The combination of increased shipment volume, reduced staffing, and tighter delivery deadlines creates ideal conditions for fraudsters. Threat actors frequently exploit holiday pressure to impersonate carriers, redirect freight, or insert themselves into communication chains. The most common schemes are carrier identity theft, fraudulent pickups, load-board impersonation, and invoice manipulation tend to spike when operational teams are stretched thin and eager to secure capacity quickly.
To reduce risk, brokers should prioritize verification at every stage of the load lifecycle. Independently confirm carrier identities using FMCSA data, verify dispatcher and driver contact information through trusted sources, and scrutinize documents for inconsistencies such as mismatched MC numbers, altered rate confirmations, or newly registered email domains. When loads need to be covered quickly, pressure to skip checks is high, but slowing down for a structured vetting process remains the strongest defense against supply chain fraud.
It is equally important to strengthen internal safeguards. Implement multi-factor authentication on all platforms, require unique logins for each team member, and ensure staff can identify warning signs of social engineering during the holidays, especially sudden requests to modify delivery locations or update payment details. Regularly review permissions on load-tracking systems and onboarding portals to ensure that only verified partners have access. For organizations relying on remote work during December travel, remind teams to avoid unsecured public Wi-Fi and to use approved devices when handling sensitive customer or freight information.
As the year closes, securing your supply chain is not just about preventing losses, it is about maintaining trust with your customers and carriers. By reinforcing verification practices, strengthening internal controls, and staying alert to seasonal fraud patterns, brokers can navigate the busiest month of the year with confidence. A secure December ensures a stable transition into the new year and a stronger overall supply chain.
Sources
- FMCSA – Carrier Safety, Registration & Verification: https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
- CISA – Supply Chain Risk Management Guidance: https://www.cisa.gov/supply-chain
- FBI IC3 – Business Email Compromise & Supply Chain Fraud Trends: https://www.ic3.gov
