You hauled a load 1,200 miles. Delivered on time. Uploaded your POD. Now you're waiting to get paid.
30 days pass. Nothing.
You call the broker. Number disconnected.
You check their MC number. It doesn't exist.
You just got scammed out of $3,500.
This happens every single week. Industry research puts freight fraud and double-brokering losses at $500-700+ million per year for carriers, with total cargo theft in the billions.
Here's the thing: most scams follow predictable patterns. If you know what to look for, you can avoid almost all of them.
The six scams you'll actually encounter
The fake broker (identity theft)
This is the most common one. A scammer finds a legitimate broker's MC number online, posts loads using that stolen identity, creates a fake email that looks close to the real one, and waits for someone to bite. You haul the load, they disappear, the real broker has no record of you, and you're out thousands.
From the forums:
"I hauled a load for what I thought was ABC Logistics (MC 123456). Email was abclogistics@gmail.com. Seemed legit. After delivery, I couldn't reach them. I called the REAL ABC Logistics - they had no record of me or the load. Someone stole their identity. I lost $2,800."
Warning signs: The email is Gmail or Yahoo instead of a company domain. Phone number doesn't match FMCSA records. They're pushing hard to get you moving immediately. They prefer texting or WhatsApp over official communication. The rate confirmation looks amateurish or has typos.
How to protect yourself: Always verify the MC on FMCSA. Call the phone number listed on FMCSA - not the one they gave you. Make sure the email domain matches their actual website. Check credit on DAT or Truckstop. If it's a first-time broker, ask for references.
Double brokering
Here's how this works: Broker A posts a load. A scam "broker" B books it from Broker A, then turns around and posts that same load on load boards. You book it from Broker B. You deliver. Broker A pays Broker B. Broker B keeps the money and vanishes. You're left with nothing.
This is straight up fraud - double brokering without proper authority is illegal.
"Booked a load through 'XYZ Freight Brokers.' Delivered it. When I called for payment, they ghosted me. Turns out they weren't the original broker - they double-brokered it from someone else who already paid THEM. I had no recourse because my contract was with the fake broker."
Warning signs: Brand new MC authority (less than 6 months). They won't give you the shipper's contact info. Rate confirmation has no shipper details. The shipper has never heard of the broker you're working with. They ask you to use a different name at pickup - huge red flag.
How to protect yourself: Stick with established brokers (1+ year operating). Check if they have carrier authority - it's illegal to double-broker without it. Ask for shipper contact info. Legitimate brokers will give it. If the shipper doesn't recognize the broker name when you arrive, stop and call someone.
The rate confirmation bait-and-switch
Broker quotes $3,000. You agree. They send a rate confirmation showing $3,000. You deliver. Then they send a "corrected" rate confirmation showing $2,200. They claim you signed the wrong one, or there was a "mistake." They only pay $2,200.
This is fraud, but it's a nightmare to fight.
"Broker confirmed $2,850 on the phone. Rate confirmation said $2,850. After delivery they sent a 'revised' one showing $2,400 and claimed I never signed the first one (even though I did). They said take $2,400 or we'll send it to collections. I lost $450."
Warning signs: Broker won't send rate confirmation before pickup. The rate con has vague language like "subject to change." They send multiple versions. They're pressuring you to start moving before sending written confirmation.
How to protect yourself: Get rate confirmation in writing before you move. Save it - PDF, email, screenshot, whatever. Never haul without a signed rate con. If they send a "corrected" version after delivery, you have evidence of fraud.
The overpayment scam
Classic check fraud, trucking edition. A "broker" books a load with you, then "accidentally" sends a check for $5,000 when the load only paid $2,500. They ask you to wire back the difference. You deposit the check, wire them $2,500. Days later their check bounces because it was fake. You're out $2,500.
Warning signs: They "overpay" and ask for a refund. They want the refund via wire transfer or gift cards. They're pushing you to refund immediately before the check clears. Check amount doesn't match rate confirmation.
How to protect yourself: Never accept overpayment - period. Wait for checks to fully clear (10+ business days) before considering funds available. Never wire money to brokers. Money flows carrier → broker for freight, not the other way around.
The advance payment scam
Scammer posts loads requiring an "upfront deposit" for some made-up reason. You wire them $500-1,000. They disappear. The load was never real.
"Posted a load requiring $300 'insurance deposit' that would be refunded. Seemed weird but rate was great ($4/mile). Wired the money. Never heard from them again. Load was completely fake."
Warning signs: They're asking for any upfront payment at all. "Insurance deposit." "Background check fee." "Load board posting fee." All fake.
How to protect yourself: Never pay a broker anything upfront. Legitimate brokers never ask for deposits. If they ask for money first, walk away immediately.
Cargo theft rings
This is the scary one. Sophisticated criminals post high-value loads - electronics, pharmaceuticals, things worth stealing. You pick up the load. They direct you to a delivery location that turns out to be an empty lot or abandoned building. Armed people take your truck and cargo. You lose everything, and you might get hurt.
I don't want to be dramatic, but this happens. And it's getting more organized.
Warning signs: Delivery address is residential or looks like a vacant lot on Google Street View. They want you delivering at odd hours (2am). They won't provide the receiver's name or phone number. High-value cargo with an unusually high rate. Brand new broker MC with no history.
How to protect yourself: Google Street View the delivery address before accepting. Verify the receiver exists - call them, look up their business. Be suspicious of residential deliveries for commercial freight. Trust your gut. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Never deliver to a location that doesn't match your rate confirmation.
How to verify a broker is legitimate
Start with FMCSA
Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and look up their MC number. You want to see: MC authority exists and is ACTIVE. They have "Broker" authority (not just carrier). Operating status shows "Authorized." Insurance is current. They've been in business at least a year.
Red flags: MC number doesn't exist. Shows "inactive" or "revoked." They only have carrier authority, not broker. They just got authority in the last 60 days.
Check their credit on the load boards
DAT and Truckstop both show credit scores. 90+ is excellent. 80-90 is good. Under 80 is risky. Also look at days to pay (30 or less is standard), reviews from other carriers, and complaint history.
Red flags: Credit score under 70. Multiple late payment complaints. Days to pay over 45. Recent non-payment reports.
Verify contact info matches across sources
Cross-check the phone number on FMCSA against their load board profile and their website. Same with the email domain.
Red flags: Phone numbers don't match. Email is Gmail or Yahoo instead of their company domain. No company website. Or the website was just created (you can check with a WHOIS lookup).
Google them
Search for "[Company name] + scam" and "[Company name] + complaints." Check BBB.org.
Red flags: Multiple scam reports. BBB complaints about non-payment. Or no online presence at all - which is strange for a legitimate business in 2026.
Call the FMCSA-listed number directly
This is the most important step. Don't call the number they gave you - call the number listed on FMCSA.
Ask: Do you have a load from [origin] to [destination]? Can you transfer me to [person you've been emailing]? Does the email [x@company.com] belong to someone who works there?
If they say they have no record of the load: Stop. You're dealing with identity theft.
Quick verification checklist
Before working with any new broker:
- MC number exists and shows "Active" on FMCSA
- Has broker authority (not just carrier)
- Been in business 6+ months
- Insurance current
- Credit score 80+ (if available)
- Phone number matches FMCSA records
- Email domain matches company website
- No recent scam reports online
- Rate confirmation received BEFORE moving
- Delivery address verified (Google it, call receiver)
If any of these fail, proceed with extreme caution or walk away.
What to do if you get scammed
Document everything
Gather the original rate confirmation, all emails and texts, phone call records, the BOL signed by the shipper, the POD signed by the receiver, photos of the load, and any other communication. You'll need all of this for the next steps.
Report it
File reports with: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, your state's attorney general, FMCSA (if there was broker authority abuse), and TIA (Transportation Intermediaries Association) who tracks broker fraud. If there's a cargo claim involved, contact your insurance company.
Warn others
Post about it on TruckersReport.com. Leave reviews on DAT and Truckstop. Share in owner operator Facebook groups and on r/Truckers. The more people who know, the fewer victims.
Try to recover (but don't get your hopes up)
You can try contacting the shipper directly - they might pay you if they still owe the broker. Small claims court works for amounts under $5k-10k depending on your state. Collection agencies are an option. So is a lawyer if the amount is large enough.
Reality check: recovery is difficult. Most scammers vanish. The best defense is prevention.
How FF Dispatch protects you from scams
As an individual owner operator, you're a target. Scammers know many new O/Os don't verify thoroughly. But what if someone with years of experience vetted every broker for you?
We only work with established brokers - 1+ year operating history, credit verified, payment history confirmed, no scam reports. We run full verification on every new broker: FMCSA check, credit score review, reference calls, reputation check.
We've been burned before so you don't have to be. Years of experience means we know which brokers are sketchy, we know the warning signs, and we've built relationships with the trustworthy ones.
We handle all the documentation - rate confirmations before you move, verify all details, track payments, chase late payments. And everything is transparent: you see every rate confirmation, no fake markups, no hidden fees.
"Before FF Dispatch: Got scammed twice in first 6 months. Lost $6,300 total. Was terrified to book loads.
With FF Dispatch: They vet every broker. I've never had a payment issue in 2 years. Worth every penny knowing I'm protected."
The bottom line
Freight broker scams are real and common. FBI estimates suggest 1 in 10 owner operators will get scammed at some point. Average loss is $2,000-$5,000 per incident, and most victims never recover the money.
But scams follow patterns. Fake MC numbers. Double-brokering. Fake rate confirmations. Pressure to move fast. New brokers with no history.
If you verify brokers before every load, you'll avoid almost all of them. Check FMCSA. Check credit scores. Verify contact info. Get rate confirmation in writing. Trust your gut.
Verify first. Drive second.
Related Posts:
- How to Build Broker Relationships That Get You First Call
- Direct Shipper vs Broker Freight: Pros, Cons, and Strategy
- TONU Loads: Getting Paid When Loads Get Cancelled
- Finding Your First Load as an Owner Operator
- 7 Red Flags When Choosing a Dispatch Service
Resources:
Sources:
- American Trucking Associations - Freight Under Fire: The Rise of Cargo Theft
- FreightWaves - Cargo theft exposes growing fraud schemes - Industry fraud analysis
- Denim - Ultimate Guide to Freight Fraud
- FMCSA SAFER system for broker verification
- Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) fraud reporting
- Owner operator fraud experiences from TruckersReport.com forums