Highway Pushes Shared Data Standards as Freight Fraud Tactics Shift

Highway, a carrier identity and vetting vendor for freight brokers, is urging the industry to adopt shared data standards as cargo thieves increasingly exploit gaps between brokers, carriers and service providers. The company outlined its "shared accountability model" at its Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 user summit in Frisco, Texas. Highway, which Chief Commercial Officer Michael Caney described as "the Plaid for freight," backs its carrier recommendations with a performance guarantee paying $100,000 if a load is stolen despite compliance. Caney said Highway has covered a million loads under the guarantee and lost one. Highway told FreightWaves in September that more than 82% of carriers moving brokered freight qualify for the guarantee. The push follows the Supreme Court's unanimous May ruling in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II allowing state negligent-hiring claims against brokers. Highway launched Highway Certified Insurance Agencies on June 1 with 10 founding agencies, requiring accurate certificates, VIN-level coverage detail and timely notice of policy changes. Caney said fraud is now "a direct attack on process," citing voice AI social engineering, and that no single vendor can close the gaps alone.