Key facts
| Common scams | Double brokering, impersonating a real broker, payment redirection |
|---|---|
| Broker financial security | $75,000 bond (BMC-84) or trust fund (BMC-85) |
| Brokering without registration | FMCSA treats it as fraud |
| Report to FMCSA | 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238) |
| DOT Inspector General hotline | (800) 424-9071 |
| Free check | Look up any broker by MC or DOT number before you accept |
Step by step
Check the broker before you accept
Look up the MC or USDOT number and confirm broker authority is ACTIVE and the bond or trust fund is on file. Carrier authority alone does not allow a company to broker freight.
Verify who you're talking to
Scammers copy real brokers' names and MC numbers. Call the phone number on the FMCSA record and check that the email domain matches the broker's real website.
Confirm pickup details you didn't expect
If the pickup location, contact or paperwork changes at the last minute, confirm it with the shipper or broker using a phone number you found yourself, not one from the new message.
Never change payment details from an email alone
Requests to send invoices or payments to a new address or account are a common fraud pattern. Confirm by phone with a contact you already know, and tell your factoring company.
Keep the paper trail and report it
Save the rate confirmation, emails, bill of lading and proof of delivery. If you weren't paid, you can file a claim against the broker's bond and report fraud to FMCSA.
Checklist
- Broker authority ACTIVE, not just carrier authority
- BMC-84 bond or BMC-85 trust fund on file
- Phone number matches the FMCSA record
- Email domain matches the broker's real website
- Signed rate confirmation before you load
- No payment-detail changes without a phone confirmation
FAQ
What is double brokering?
Double brokering is when a company accepts a load and then passes it to another carrier without the shipper's or original broker's knowledge, often without broker authority. The carrier who actually hauls the load can go unpaid if the middle company disappears with the money.
How do scammers pretend to be real brokers?
They use a real broker's name and MC number and contact carriers from look-alike email addresses or new phone numbers. Calling the number on the FMCSA record and checking the email domain against the broker's real website catches most of these.
Where do I report a freight broker scam?
Report it to FMCSA through its complaint system or by calling 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238), and report fraud to the DOT Office of Inspector General hotline at (800) 424-9071. Keep your rate confirmation, emails, bill of lading and proof of delivery.
Is a very high rate a red flag?
A rate far above what similar lanes pay, combined with pressure to load right away, is a common pattern in freight fraud. It isn't proof on its own, so check the broker's authority, bond and contact details before you accept.
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Official sources
- FMCSA: Broker and carrier fraud and identity theft
- U.S. DOT Office of Inspector General hotline
- FMCSA SAFER company snapshot
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm your exact situation with the agency linked above.