RILA Urges Swift Passage of the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act

Protect Communities and Commerce

By [ Sarah Gilmore ]
Washington, DC
07/14/2025

Senate Judiciary Committee hearing examines retail crime epidemic.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) continues to call on Congress to pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), lauding the bipartisan leadership of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee for holding a hearing addressing the growing threat of organized retail crime (ORC), cargo theft, and gift card fraud.

Organized retail crime is driven by highly coordinated criminal networks targeting retail stores, distribution centers, and transportation infrastructure. These sophisticated groups operate across state lines using tactics such as booster crews, fraudulent returns, and online resale schemes, frequently funneling proceeds into other criminal activities including drug and human trafficking and even terrorism.

Cargo theft has seen a significant uptick, with criminals targeting trucks, rail containers, and distribution centers using fraudulent documentation, GPS spoofing, phishing attacks, and insider schemes. The use of weapons and threats during these thefts further endangers supply chains and personnel.

“The scale and sophistication of these crimes have escalated dramatically in recent years,” said Sarah Gilmore, RILA senior director, government affairs. “These crimes are not merely retail challenges—they pose serious threats to public safety, economic stability, and the resilience of our national supply chain.”

Gift card fraud, another scheme used by organized crime networks to launder stolen funds, is also on the rise. “CORCA's provision to classify gift cards as ‘monetary instruments’ under federal law is sorely needed to close enforcement gaps and enhance law enforcement tools,” added Gilmore.

The depths of retail crime and the complex challenges it creates for communities prompted RILA to establish the RILA Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) focused on bringing together diverse stakeholders to enhance collaboration and efficiencies to ultimately restore vibrance and economic growth in communities across America.

The Foundation is currently leading two major projects: RILA’s Vibrant Communities Initiative, a first-of-its kind partnership between leading retailers and district attorneys’ offices to combat retail crime, and the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA), a national effort to protect consumers and drive innovation to fight against gift card fraud. GCFPA has launched a nationwide advocacy campaign to ensure gift card fraud is clearly defined and prosecutable under state law. In 2025 alone, legislation was enacted in 11 states to empower law enforcement with the legal tools needed to arrest and prosecute individuals involved in gift card fraud—filling critical gaps in many existing criminal statutes. 

“We are making progress in the fight to dismantle criminal rings behind retail crime, but much more remains to be done,” Gilmore said. “CORCA's comprehensive approach, which includes stronger enforcement tools, improved federal coordination, and enhanced penalties for organized theft and fraud is strongly supported by the retail community and needs to be enacted.”

RILA commends Senators Grassley and Cortez Masto for their leadership on CORCA and urges swift passage of the act.

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RILA is the US trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to elevate a dynamic industry by transforming the environment in which retailers operate.

RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $2.7 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and hundreds of thousands of stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad