Highway Forges Alliance to Combat Escalating Freight Fraud

DALLAS, TX – February 17, 2026 – As the freight industry grapples with an unprecedented surge in sophisticated fraud, technology provider Highway today announced a major strategic initiative aimed at building a collective defense. The company has formally launched a new Partner Program designed to unite the fragmented freight technology ecosystem against a common enemy, embedding its Carrier Identity® solutions directly into the platforms brokers use daily.

The announcement comes at a critical time. Recent industry data paints a grim picture of the security landscape, with annual losses from freight fraud estimated to be between $500 million and $700 million. The problem is not just the financial toll; it's the escalating complexity of the crimes. Organized criminal rings are increasingly targeting the digital backbone of the supply chain, with incidents of strategic theft—where thieves use deception to trick legitimate parties into handing over cargo—skyrocketing by a reported 1,500% since 2022. In 2024 alone, cargo theft losses in the U.S. and Canada surged 27% to over $450 million, and a further 22% increase is projected for 2025.

The Anatomy of a Modern Threat

Today’s freight fraud extends far beyond simple cargo theft. Criminals are exploiting the very tools designed to make logistics more efficient. The most prevalent schemes include identity theft and impersonation, where bad actors create fake carrier profiles or use stolen credentials to secure loads and divert payments. This has created what some experts call a persistent "identity crisis" within the industry.

Another common tactic is double brokering, where a shipment is deceptively re-brokered to another carrier without the shipper's consent, creating a chain of confusion and often resulting in lost cargo or non-payment. These schemes are compounded by phishing attacks, cyber intrusions to steal sensitive data, and fictitious pickups, all of which disrupt supply chains, damage reputations, and drive up insurance costs for everyone. The growing sophistication of these threats means that isolated, company-by-company defense measures are no longer sufficient.

“Freight fraud doesn’t happen in silos, and prevention can’t either,” said Jayson Peterson, VP of Strategic Alliances and Partnerships at Highway, in the official announcement. “This is about creating a unified front against fraud.”

A Collective Shield Through Partnership

Highway's new Partner Program is a direct response to this reality. Instead of simply providing a standalone security tool, the company is building a framework for deep collaboration. The program formalizes how Highway will work with partners—including providers of Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and other core logistics platforms—to integrate, co-sell, and align their go-to-market strategies.

The initiative introduces a tiered structure that recognizes partners based on their level of commitment. To become a 'Premier' or 'Certified' partner, companies must demonstrate a shared dedication to several key principles:
* Full Technical Integration: Embedding Highway’s identity-first verification directly into the partner’s core software workflows.
* Joint Customer Solutions: Collaborating on offerings that demonstrably reduce fraud exposure for end-users.
* Intelligence Sharing: Creating a feedback loop of threat data that strengthens protection across the entire network.
* Partner Enablement: Working together on training and support to ensure the integrated solutions are deployed effectively.

This model represents a significant philosophical shift. By making identity verification a foundational component of the software brokers already use, the program aims to make security an inherent part of the process, not an optional, add-on layer. It transforms fraud prevention from a reactive, bolt-on measure into a proactive, embedded capability.

Embedding Trust in the Digital Workflow

At the heart of Highway's strategy is its Carrier Identity® technology. The platform automates the complex and time-consuming process of carrier compliance and identity verification, giving brokers a reliable way to confirm they are dealing with a legitimate, vetted carrier for every load.

The technical integration at the core of the new Partner Program is designed to bring this capability directly into the user's daily environment. When a broker is booking a load within their TMS, for example, Highway’s verification engine would work seamlessly in the background. This eliminates the need to switch between systems or perform manual checks, which are often prone to error and can slow down operations. For an industry where speed is critical, this streamlined workflow is a powerful incentive.

By embedding trust at the point of transaction, the partnership model aims to solve several problems at once. It helps brokers build their carrier networks with greater speed and security, reduces their exposure to financial loss and reputational damage, and creates a more reliable and transparent environment for shippers. The consistency of this verification standard across multiple platforms ensures that security protocols remain robust, no matter which system a broker uses to make freight decisions.

Forging a New Industry Standard

While Highway is not the only company tackling fraud, its ecosystem-first approach is a notable strategic differentiator. The competitive landscape includes a range of solutions, from AI-powered anomaly detection and advanced telematics to cybersecurity services and enhanced security features on load boards. However, many of these solutions operate within the confines of their own platforms.

Highway’s bet is that the most effective long-term defense is a networked one. By creating an interconnected web of trusted partners, the company aims to raise the security baseline for the entire industry. The intelligence-sharing component is particularly crucial, as it allows insights gained from a fraud attempt on one platform to be used to protect all other members of the ecosystem. This network effect could create a formidable barrier for criminals, who thrive on exploiting gaps between disconnected systems.

This collaborative model reflects a growing consensus among security experts: in a deeply interconnected digital world, security must also be interconnected. The launch of the program is a call to action for the freight technology sector to move beyond competition on this single issue and toward collaboration for the greater good of the supply chain.

“Our partners are an extension of the trust framework we’re building across freight,” Peterson added. “Together, we’re making identity verification a shared responsibility and a shared advantage.”