Key facts
| Authority to check | Broker authority status: ACTIVE |
|---|---|
| Financial security | $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond or BMC-85 trust fund |
| Where | FMCSA SAFER and Licensing & Insurance (L&I) |
| Contact check | Call the number on the FMCSA record |
| Higher risk | Authority under 6-12 months old, recent reactivation |
| Not paid? | File a claim against the broker's bond with the surety |
Step by step
Get the MC and USDOT numbers
Ask for both numbers on the rate confirmation and match them to the company name.
Check authority and bond
Confirm broker authority is ACTIVE and the bond or trust fund is on file. Our free broker checker does this in one search.
Verify the contact
Call the phone number listed with FMCSA and confirm the person and the load. Check email domains against the company's real website.
Read the rate confirmation
Check the pickup and delivery details, detention, payment terms and quick-pay fees before you sign.
Watch for double brokering
Be suspicious of last-minute pickup changes, requests to send BOLs to a new email, or a shipper who doesn't recognize the broker.
Checklist
- Broker authority ACTIVE
- BMC-84 bond or BMC-85 trust fund on file
- Phone number matches the FMCSA record
- Email domain matches the broker's real website
- Rate confirmation signed with full terms
- Proof of delivery and invoice sent the same day
FAQ
What is a broker bond claim?
Freight brokers must keep a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund on file. If a broker doesn't pay you for a delivered load, you can file a claim against that bond with the surety company, usually with your rate confirmation, signed proof of delivery and invoice.
What are common broker scam red flags?
Rates far above market, pressure to load immediately, contact details that don't match the FMCSA record, requests to change payment details, and authority that was granted very recently or recently reactivated.
Want someone to handle it?
Tell us what you need and a Trucking Help Center specialist will reach out, free.
Official sources
- FMCSA SAFER company snapshot
- FMCSA Licensing & Insurance (L&I)
- FMCSA: Broker and carrier fraud and identity theft
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm your exact situation with the agency linked above.