Avoiding DOT and MC Authority Scams

on Friday, 27 December 2013.

startingyourowntruckingcompanyIf you've thought about getting your MC authority, beware of less-than-reputable compliance companies contacting you pretending to be the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Authority) in an attempt to sell you their services. As unlikely as it sounds, a growing number of compliance companies are resorting to shady tactics in attempts to bolster their sales. In a recent article from Transport Topics, Jud McVey calls out the processes used by multiple compliance agencies to dupe unsuspecting MC number applicants.

What You Should Beware Of

While getting your MC authority is not an extremely difficult process, it does require filling out some applications. New entrants (the term the FMCSA uses to describe individuals applying for MC authority), are required to fill out applications to receive their DOT authority and MC authority. You must meet two requirements to have your application approved-- a BOC-3 filing and proof of insurance.

If you decide to fill out your applications on the FMCSA website, you may receive a phone call soon after you submit them. Beware if the person on the other end of the line claims to be a FMCSA representative and/or offers assistance in navigating the application process (for a fee of course)-- these individuals are often employees of compliance companies out to make a quick buck off of unsuspecting new entrants.

Obviously impersonating a FMCSA representative is illegal, however some callers obfuscate the fact that they are representatives of compliance companies and purposefully lead new entrants to thinking that the caller is a FMCSA representative without directly saying so.

Don't worry; these scams are easy to spot-- neither the DOT nor FMCSA call new entrants.

While impersonating a FMCSA employee is illegal, simply calling new applicants to offer a service is not. Scammers obtain new entrants' contact information by continuously checking the FMCSA's website for new entrants. All of the data and information received by the FMCSA is public information, thereby making it legal for compliance companies to use the information to contact the new entrant.

Ask questions to avoid being taken advantage of. As McVey points out in his article, many of the callers are reading from a pre-written script, so asking detailed questions can help you identify scammers and prevent you from purchasing services you don't need to get your operating authority.

Not All Compliance Companies Operate This Way

There are many compliance companies who adhere to codes of ethics and genuinely care about helping new entrants navigate the application process without taking advantage of them. Logistec/TTS and its affiliated companies fall into this category. We have never portrayed ourselves as being affiliated with any regulating agencies and go to great lengths to let clients know that we are an officially registered FMCSA process service agency. We don't have to resort to shady tactics to gain new clients-- our industry experience, sterling reputation, and dedication to customer service set us apart from other compliance agencies.

We provide expert advice to our clients and help them navigate through application processes to make getting their operating authority a breeze. Logistec/TTS can help new entrants in obtaining and maintaining their:

  • Operating Authority/MC Number
  • USDOT Number
  • BOC-3 Filing
  • Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)
  • IFTA Reports.

New entrants can also obtain commercial truck insurance from our sister company, Truck Insurance, Inc.

If you're a new entrant, don't get taken advantage of by a shady compliance company-- trust Logistec/TTS and its subsidiaries to help you navigate through the red tape and get you on the road quicker.

800.226.3696

PO Box 13259 • Florence, South Carolina 29504
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