How FBI Case Submissions Work Through TIA

By: Wendy Emerson

Senior Membership Engagement Manager

When TIA submits fraud and cargo theft cases to our FBI partners, members should be aware that we do not always receive direct updates on every individual case. Many of these investigations are long term, highly complex, and managed at a broader strategic level rather than on a case-by-case basis. The FBI and other law enforcement partners receive the contact information provided with each submission and will reach out directly to the reporting party if they require additional details or documentation. Even when no direct follow-up occurs, the information you provide is still extremely valuable.

Submitted cases are reviewed for common patterns and aggregated with other reports to help identify trends, link related incidents, and support broader investigative efforts. This work focuses on identifying and dismantling organized fraud rings at the national and, in many cases, international level. When TIA does receive specific updates related to a member’s submission, we will relay that information to the reporting party as appropriate.

Reporting through TIA Watchdog and the TIA Fraud Hotline are two additional and important steps every member should take. Watchdog reports help inform and alert fellow members so brokers across the industry can take proactive precautions, while Hotline submissions further strengthen the pool of information available to support the FBI’s Fraud task Force. Together, these reporting channels create a more complete picture of fraud activity and increase the impact of every individual report submitted.

We also strongly encourage members to report incidents on TIA Watchdog. Doing so helps alert others in the industry, allows brokers to take proactive precautions, and further strengthens the pool of information available to support law enforcement efforts against fraud. In addition, notifying your local elected officials that these incidents are occurring in their district helps bring critical awareness to the real-world impact of fraud and cargo theft. This added visibility supports the work that TIA’s Government Affairs team is doing on Capitol Hill to advance legislation and policy solutions that protect our industry.