Freight fraud has evolved from a nagging risk into an existential crisis for the logistics sector. Bad actors now wield advanced AI tools, generative deepfakes, and sophisticated phishing campaigns to forge identities, falsify documents, and launch complex digital supply-chain attacks. As regulatory scrutiny and judicial accountability intensify, freight brokers face unprecedented legal and fiduciary demands. In response, FreightWaves is hosting the Freight Fraud Symposium 2026 — titled “The Escalating Crisis & the Path to Resiliency” — on May 20, 2026, at the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
The intimate, in-person gathering is designed exclusively for transportation executives, risk managers, legal counsel, and technology buyers. Attendees will share insights, debate the latest threat intelligence, and help establish the new gold standard for transaction security through collaborative action.
The agenda opens at 9:00 a.m. ET with welcome remarks and a keynote address, followed by hard-hitting sessions including “The AI Threat: Understanding and Countering Fraudsters’ Use of Generative AI (Deepfakes, Sophisticated Phishing),” “Measuring the Total Cost: Quantifying Financial Losses, Reputational Damage, and Operational Slowdowns,” and “Working with Law Enforcement on Freight Fraud and Cargo Recovery.” Morning panels will explore the “Chameleon Carrier” problem and the latest carrier-vetting strategies, drawing lessons from high-profile fraud incidents.
After lunch, the program shifts to regulatory and legal updates on broker liability standards and insurance complexities, followed by “The Power of Collaboration: Fighting Cyber-Enabled Freight Fraud.” Additional sessions cover executive de-risking through governance and security culture, zero-trust onboarding technologies, payment and identity security best practices to stop double-brokering and ghosting, and cross-sector strategies spanning trucking, rail, ocean, and air freight. Multiple panel discussions with live Q&A will allow real-time interaction.
Speakers already on the agenda include Ben Wilkens, Cybersecurity Principal Engineer at National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA); Eric Zalud, Partner and Chairman of Transportation & Logistics at Benesch; and Travis Rhyan, Founder & CEO at Carrier1.
The symposium wraps with closing remarks at 3:55 p.m., followed by a networking Happy Hour sponsored by Highway and optional guided tours of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Space is strictly limited. Registration is open now through Eventbrite here. Industry leaders seeking to protect their operations cannot afford to miss this pivotal event.
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