WSI x Highway: Protecting Your Cargo Through Verified Carrier Networks 

Your high-value shipment just vanished. The carrier you trusted with your precious cargo confirmed the pickup, sent tracking updates, then suddenly disappeared. What seemed like a legitimate transportation company was actually a sophisticated fraud scheme that left you perplexed and empty handed.  

This happens every day across the freight industry.  

The threat is real and growing. According to TIA’s 2025 annual fraud report, freight fraud incidents have surged dramatically, with cargo theft and carrier impersonation schemes becoming increasingly sophisticated.  

Shippers trust their logistics providers to protect them. Unfortunately, outsourcing logistics doesn’t outsource the consequences of freight fraud. Understanding the importance of verified carrier networks work can help you evaluate whether your current logistics provider is managing vulnerabilities. 

What makes a carrier network “verified?“ 

A verified carrier network goes several steps beyond basic insurance and authority checks. It includes: 

• Real-time validation of carrier authenticity 

• Ongoing monitoring of performance and compliance 

• Advanced fraud prevention systems to detect impersonation schemes 

Having a verified network means every carrier handling the cargo has been thoroughly vetted, continuously monitored, and validated through multiple security layers. The ultimate goal is to prevent fraud and reliability issues that can disrupt operations and cost shippers hundreds of thousands. 

When carriers aren’t what they seem 

Consider this scenario: Your 3PL books a carrier for your high-value shipment. The “carrier” confirms pickup, provides tracking updates, then disappears with your cargo. You discover later it was a fraudulent operation (likely organized retail crime) impersonating a legitimate carrier. Your customers are waiting for orders that will never arrive, and your brand bears the reputation consequences. 

But what if your transportation provider used verified carrier networks with advanced authentication systems to confirm carrier legitimacy, validate equipment and authority, track shipments and prevent fraudulent bookings? 

4 ways verified carrier networks protect your cargo 

The difference between a basic carrier network and a carefully verified one lies in the depth of the technology and consistency of their vigilant work. A verified network goes through multiple layers of protection beyond the usual quick background check most companies do during onboarding.  
 
Here’s how a trustworthy verified carrier network helps protect your cargo: 

1. Multi-layer carrier authentication 

Verified networks validate every carrier before they can handle your cargo. They ask:  

• Is this carrier legitimate? Do they have proper operating authority?  

• Are they equipped to handle your specific products? 

• Can they deliver the service quality your customers expect? 

Without thorough verification, your shipments become vulnerable to fraud, theft, and service failures. Verified networks implement multi-layer authentication that includes authority validation, equipment confirmation, and performance history review. 

2. Real-time fraud detection 

Freight fraud attempts happen daily, and verified networks must evolve accordingly. Advanced verification systems identify suspicious activity, validate carrier communications, and prevent impersonation schemes before they impact your cargo. 

Modern verified networks go beyond basic checks to include email verification, load lock technology, and pattern recognition that catches sophisticated schemes other methods miss. 

3. Continuous carrier monitoring 

Carrier status changes quickly in transportation. A carrier that was verified last month might face operational issues today. Verified networks continuously monitor carrier performance, authority status, and service quality to ensure your cargo stays protected. 

This ongoing verification means your 3PL can proactively address potential issues before they affect your shipments. 

4. Transparent verification status 

When cargo moves through verified networks, you should know exactly who’s handling it and their verification status. Your 3PL should provide clear visibility into carrier verification levels, performance metrics, and delivery progress. This transparency helps identify potential issues early and keeps your customers informed. 

Highway’s verification systems validate carrier authenticity and prevent fraudulent communications. Meanwhile, WSI’s carrier management expertise ensures proper selection and ongoing performance monitoring. This combination creates verified networks that keep our customers’ cargo secure and operations running smoothly. 

Ready to protect your cargo with verified carrier networks? Connect with WSI to learn how our Highway partnership can secure your freight operations and give you peace of mind.