How to Prevent Freight Fraud & Double Brokering!

Freight fraud and double brokering are like the two annoying potholes on your perfectly smooth trucking highway. One second you’re cruising, and the next—BAM!—your load is hijacked, your cash is gone, and you're left wondering what happened.

But fear not! We’re breaking down these nasty scams so you can steer clear of trouble and keep your trucking or freight business on the road to success. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty.

What is Double Brokering?

Double brokering is like playing the world’s worst game of telephone—except instead of garbled words, you’re losing money. Here’s how it works: a legitimate broker assigns a load to a carrier. But instead of hauling the load themselves, the carrier (or so-called carrier) turns around and re-brokers that load to someone else—without permission.

Basically, it’s a sneaky middleman scam, and the original broker (you) has no idea who’s actually hauling the freight. Not only does this mess up the chain of accountability, but it leaves you wide open for things to go really wrong—like late deliveries, lost cargo, or outright theft.

💡 Fun fact: Double brokering is illegal in the U.S. (thank you, FMCSA), but like that guy who always cuts in line at Starbucks, some scammers just don’t care.

Freight Fraud: It’s Worse Than You Think

Freight fraud is a bit broader than double brokering. It covers a range of scams, including:

Phantom carriers: These folks are the Houdinis of the trucking world. They take the load, disappear into thin air, and your cargo is nowhere to be found.
Fake shippers or brokers: They create fake identities, offer too-good-to-be-true deals, and once they have the load or payment, they’re gone.
Document manipulation: Scammers create fake paperwork, invoices, or payment details, leaving you with incorrect information and out of pocket.

How We Busted a Double Broker (And Got Our $$$ Back) 💰

At Long Money Trucking, we’ve been there. Our team caught a double broker red-handed after they re-brokered one of our loads without permission. But we weren’t going down without a fight! With quick thinking, we recovered $1,257 from the scammer. 🚨 (Cue the applause.)

Why Should You Care?

If you’re a new trucking company, a broker, a carrier, or even a freight dispatcher, you’re a potential target for these scams. Double brokering and freight fraud can cost you thousands of dollars, damage your reputation, and disrupt your operations. This isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it’s a business killer.

How to Avoid Double Brokering and Freight Fraud (For Real)

Want to stop freight fraud before it derails your business? Here are some quick tips to keep you safe on the road:

Vet your carriers: Don’t just go with the cheapest option. Use tools like Carrier411 or DAT to check safety ratings, verify insurance, and see if they’re on the FMCSA’s naughty list.
Monitor load boards: If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often post low bids to lure in unsuspecting brokers or carriers.
Check paperwork thoroughly: Don’t accept any documents at face value. Double-check BOLs, invoices, and other critical paperwork to ensure everything matches up.
Communicate directly: Stay in constant contact with the shipper, broker, or carrier. The more touchpoints, the less likely scammers can sneak in undetected.
Use the FMCSA’s Clearinghouse: Make sure all carriers are registered and compliant with FMCSA rules. Trust us, the last thing you want is to work with someone who can’t pass a compliance check.

👉 Pro tip: Download our “10 Tips to Stop Freight Fraud” freebie, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more insights like this!

Stay One Step Ahead of the Scammers

Freight fraud and double brokering aren’t going away anytime soon. But with the right knowledge, tools, and a little bit of street smarts, you can protect your business. At Long Money Trucking, we’ve seen it all, and we’re here to help you navigate the tricky lanes of freight and trucking.

Stay safe, stay smart, and keep your wheels turning in the right direction!

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