Stolen MC numbers, cloned websites, forged insurance — fake-carrier scams exploit gaps between FMCSA registration and real-time verification. SAFER lookup closes most of those gaps in under five minutes.
An unauthorized operator copies the MC and USDOT numbers of a legitimate company onto a new website or fake certificate. The numbers may pass a quick visual check, but the company name on the SAFER record won't match the website. This is the single most common fake-carrier mechanism.
Operators create a website that mimics a legitimate broker or carrier — similar name, similar branding, sometimes a near-identical domain (e.g., '-llc' or '-inc' appended). Customers searching the legitimate brand land on the clone and book with what looks like a known company.
Fake Certificates of Insurance circulate that look professional but cannot be verified with the insurer. Real cargo insurance can be cross-checked against FMCSA's L&I (Licensing and Insurance) filings, which list the carrier's current cargo policy, limits, and effective dates.
Fake-carrier websites often launched within the last 6–12 months, with stock photography, no named officers, no physical address, and reviews that all appear in the same time window. WHOIS lookup and BBB profile checks usually expose them quickly.
Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov, enter the company name or MC number, and verify:
EZ Auto Movers verifies every carrier against active FMCSA records and provides written quote, terms, and BOL before any payment.
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