The freight landscape is always changing, and 2025 has provided significant change in processing how freight brokers vet carriers.
Most freight brokers now use onboarding platforms and verification tools as a standard for vetting carriers, but as we get smarter and the logistics industry gets smarter, so do the scams.
The challenge we have here is that some of today's biggest risks don't pass traditional checks. Getting comfortable with booking a load now takes more than a COI and a few inspections.
This blog breaks down the real changes we're seeing so far this year, and what risks still slip through the cracks.
1. Why "Approved" Carriers Still End Up in Claims
One of the most common mistakes? Relying too much on automation. Yes, a trucking company may have the right documents, a couple of clear inspections, and active authority, but none of that tells you Red flag: A logistics broker books what looks like a trustworthy carrier, with an active MC and no issues. Later, they discover the MC number had quietly changed hands, and the phone now routes to a scammer. By then, the shipment's gone.
What to do: Look for recent inspection activity in your shipment lanes. Check how long the FMCSA contact info has been the same. Also, make sure your team know
2. Email + Phone Verification Is A MUST.
Fraudsters know how to play the game. They'll spoof email domains, use real names, and sound professional on the phone. But, they are NOT calling and emailing you from the contacts on FMCSA- they are using burner information.
Best practice is to always check both the email and phone number against what is listed on the FMCSA site. Do NOT proceed forward until you have verified the carrier matches from both ends.
3. Great Scores Still Need Sharp Eyes
An A+ on Carrier Assure means a trucking company has a strong history, clean inspections with the DOT, and no red flags in the data. But scammers have gotten smarter, they're now targeting already trusted MCs to exploit that reputation.
These actors aren't building fake identities from scratch, instead they’re hijacking good ones. That's why you can't rely on onboarding alone, you need real-time context, map patterns, and unusual behavior signals. Which is exactly what Carrier Assure brings to the table.
4. Rethink the Way Your Reps Vet Carriers
Your compliance team likely can't find everything. Reps booking sensitive or high-value freight have all of the power, and even with training when something is of value then it is possible they will not see a critical alert.
What to teach them:
- Look at recent carrier map activity and shipment lanes
- Ask: Does this OTR trucking route make sense based on the carrier's history?
- Be cautious of carriers inactive for 6+ months
- Watch out for strange truck counts or mismatched equipment
5. Don't Forget the Power of the Pickup
Even after thorough vetting, there's still one more line of defense: the dock. Here are some simple steps that could make a difference:
- Confirm the MC number on the truck matches what was booked
- Grab a photo of the license plate or driver's ID
- Ask for a selfie of the driver in front of the truck (especially for high-value loads)
- Cross-reference VINs or trailer plates if something feels off
Today’s fraud looks like clean paperwork, polite emails, and carriers that "pass" your system... until they don't.
If your team isn't already asking deeper questions, training reps, and building SOPs around these threats, now's the time.
