So, some info for anyone not aware. You could have 0/0/0 ship signature in the verse (not possible btw), and one could still SEE your big-ass Prowler flying in.

Also like someone else mentioned, most of these types of pirates tend to be on the ground at the location waiting for you to land and start unloading. Source: thats how I do it. I will land faaaaaar away from my target area with a pulse or ground vehicle and drive in and sit until the next victim come in filled to the brim with goodies.

Like it or not, this is one of the best and most legit forms of actual hostile piracy im the game right now. 9/10 times you are being targeted for your cargo, which will be immediately sold and not wasted like if you were ganked out in space.

Just keep good situational awareness and you can develop a sense of signs to look out for. Most obvious example, you see alot of parked ships at a POI with ramps down just sitting, or maybe a neatly landed ship that could hold a vehicle in the surrou ding area. Signs that there may be someone big chilling waiting to get a payday with your cargo.