Most cargo theft and double brokering start the same way: a broker in a hurry books a carrier nobody checked. Ten minutes of checking is cheap by comparison. Run this list on every new carrier, every time.
Check the authority
- Look the carrier up by MC or USDOT number in FMCSA’s public lookup.
- Authority must show as active, and as carrier authority, not broker.
- Note how long it has been active. A very new authority isn’t disqualifying, but it deserves a closer look.
Check the insurance at the source
Don’t accept a certificate the carrier emails you. Call or email the insurance agent listed on it and have the agent send it directly.
- FMCSA’s minimum for general freight is $750,000 in liability. Many brokers ask for $1,000,000.
- Check that cargo cover fits the load, and read the exclusions for your commodity.
- Check the policy dates, and ask to be listed as certificate holder so you hear about cancellations.
Match the contact details
Identity theft works because the real carrier’s MC number is attached to someone else’s phone. Compare what you were given with what FMCSA has on file.
- Does the email domain match the company? Be careful with free webmail addresses on established fleets.
- Does the phone number match the FMCSA record?
- When something is off, call the number on the FMCSA record and ask whether they took your load.
Get the paperwork signed
- A signed broker-carrier agreement with a clause against re-brokering.
- A W-9, and the factoring company’s notice of assignment if they factor.
- Remit-to details, confirmed by phone on a known number. Treat any request to change bank details the same way.
Warning signs on the day
- The truck, driver or MC on the bill of lading doesn’t match the rate con.
- The carrier pushes to be paid somewhere new, or fast.
- The dispatcher can’t say where the truck is now.
- The rate they accept is well below everyone else on the lane.
Keep it on the record
Whatever you check, write it down in one place, so the next broker on your team doesn’t start from zero. In Juno the carrier record holds the MC, DOT, authority, insurance and documents.
What double brokering looks like
Double brokering is when a company accepts your load and hands it to another carrier without your permission. You lose track of who has the freight and whose insurance covers it, and the real carrier may go unpaid and come looking to you for the money.
It often comes with identity theft, where someone poses as a legitimate carrier. That is why the phone number on the FMCSA record matters more than the one in the email you received.
A repeatable first-load checklist
- Look up the MC or USDOT number and confirm active carrier authority.
- Check how long the authority has been active.
- Get the insurance certificate straight from the agent.
- Match the email domain and phone number against the FMCSA record.
- Get a signed broker-carrier agreement and W-9.
- Confirm payment details by calling a known number.
- On pickup day, confirm the truck, driver and MC match the rate con.
Then send a rate confirmation with a clear re-brokering clause, under a signed broker-carrier agreement. For more, read what double brokering is and how to prevent it.
Common questions
What is the minimum insurance for a carrier?
FMCSA’s minimum for general freight is $750,000 in liability. Many brokers ask for $1,000,000, plus cargo cover that fits the load.
Should I avoid new carriers?
Not automatically. A new authority is a reason to check more closely, and to confirm identity by phone on the number FMCSA has on file.
How do I verify an insurance certificate?
Contact the agent listed on it and have the agent send it directly to you, rather than accepting a copy from the carrier.
What should I do if I suspect double brokering?
Stop and call the number on the carrier’s FMCSA record. Ask whether they took the load. Do not release freight or payment until it is resolved.