Freight Scam Alert: How to Protect Your Trucking Company from Fake Shippers & Wire Transfer Fraud

The Rise of Freight Scams in 2025

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In the heart of America’s freight industry, a new scam is spreading fast—and it’s costing trucking companies thousands.

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As a logistics consultant and carrier myself, I—Michael Thomas—was personally targeted. A company posed as a legitimate shipper needing a load moved across state lines. They requested a quote, accepted it professionally, and even followed standard protocol with a prepaid freight offer. This seemed normal—until they asked for banking info to wire the initial payment.

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That moment became a turning point.

After some digging, I found out this “shipper” had scammed over 300 trucking companies, gathering sensitive banking data and disappearing without moving a single load.

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Why the Prepaid Freight Scam Works

In our industry, prepaid freight is common. That’s exactly why this scam is so effective. The scammers pose as legitimate businesses, often using spoofed emails or cloned identities from real U.S. corporations. Their emails are polished, their RFQs look formal, and they speak our language.

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They ask for quotes. You reply. A few days later—bam, they say you’ve won the bid and they’re wiring 50% of the load payment up front. All they need?

Your banking information.

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This is not just phishing. This is full-scale wire transfer fraud wrapped in the cloak of standard logistics operations.

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6-Step Shipper Verification Checklist Every Trucking Company Should Follow

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To protect your fleet and your finances, implement this verification protocol immediately:

✅ 1. Google the Company + Email Domain

Search the company name and verify their website. If the email domain doesn’t match (e.g., @gmail.com instead of @companyname.com), that’s red flag #1.

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✅ 2. Call Back Using a Public Number

Never trust the number they email you. Go to the real website and call the main number listed. Ask to speak to someone in dispatch or accounting.

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✅ 3. Ask for the Accounting Department

Verify that someone from that department actually approved the load or quote request. Scammers almost never pass this test.

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✅ 4. Search Their Load History on DAT or ITS

Check if this shipper has posted freight in the past. No history? That’s another warning.

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✅ 5. Request a Real BOL or Contract First

Before giving up any sensitive info, ask for a bill of lading template or draft agreement. Real shippers will never hesitate.

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✅ 6. NEVER Send Banking Info Without Live Payment Verification

Use secured platforms like QuickPay, COMDATA, or verified ACH clearinghouses. Never share direct banking credentials by email or over the phone.

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FMCSA Guidelines on Valid Shippers and Freight Brokers

The FMCSA defines a broker under 49 CFR §371.2 as a party arranging transportation but not handling the freight themselves. When dealing with unknown shippers or brokers:

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• Use the SAFER System: https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov

• Cross-check MC and DOT numbers

• Make sure their authority is active and not revoked

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FMCSA doesn’t regulate payment terms—but they do regulate who’s allowed to broker freight legally. If the shipper can’t provide a valid MC or carrier relationship—they don’t belong in your business.

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Make Verification a Company Policy

This isn’t just about catching scammers—it’s about making safety a culture inside your trucking business.

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📌 Here's What You Can Do:

• Train dispatchers on the 6-step verification checklist

• Require shipper vetting before quoting freight

• Include fraud detection in your driver orientation or safety meetings

• Add a “New Shipper SOP” in your operations manual

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Every trucking company needs a playbook—this is your first chapter.

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🚩 Watch for These Freight Scam Red Flags

• “We pay half upfront via wire”—no contract, just urgency

• Generic emails (e.g., freightrequest2025@gmail.com)

• Pressure to act fast or avoid calls

• They avoid live phone verification

• They have no history on load boards

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If it feels wrong—it probably is.

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Final Words 

“The Art of the Deal in logistics begins with trust—but trust must be earned, not assumed. A license doesn’t make a business—a verified deal does. Your trucking company deserves real partners, not predators.”

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