Unauthorized Use of DOT Numbers Is on the Rise

The frequency and severity of fraud grow every year. As our lives and our businesses become increasingly electronic, identity theft and other related issues damage more lives and cause more problems than one can imagine. In the transportation industry, this is now occurring frequently with unauthorized use of USDOT numbers. Highly variable and often increasing demand, coupled with a limited supply of drivers and parts, has led to expedited background checks and other corner-cutting measures.

A carrier’s USDOT number is assigned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and helps to regulate carrier activity, assess safety issues, verify identity and licensing, and more. If a person or business uses a DOT number that doesn’t belong to them, it can compromise the safety and security of the drivers, the goods or passengers, the customers, and even unrelated bystanders. The risks are substantial and severe.

If you suspect your company has been the victim of fraud or identity theft, FMCSA recommends that you take the following steps:

1. Report the incident to your local law enforcement agency.
2. You may also report the incident to the U. S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Hotline at (800) 424-9071 or online at https://www.oig.dot.gov/hotline.
3. You are also encouraged to file a complaint with the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB) at https://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov/nccdb/home.aspx
4. Contact your insurance company, all load boards and factoring companies to let them know your company’s information is being fraudulently used.
5. Make social media and website posts to inform your customers.
6. Make sure your company’s phone number(s) displayed in FMCSA’s Safety and Fitness Records System (SAFER)are visible and correct by going to https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and scrolling down to “FMCSA Searches” and clicking on “Company Snapshot”.
7. Treat your company information like your banking and credit card information. Conduct frequent checks of your FMCSA Carrier Profile. If you find incorrect information, go to https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration and follow the instructions on that page. This page also provides a phone number you can call to receive assistance.

To prevent or promptly detect DOT spoofing, carriers can log into their FMCSA SMS portal account regularly with their assigned PINs and check SMS results. The portal provides more detailed information than public websites. Any activity that seems suspicious, unfamiliar, or even simply inaccurate can be a sign of fraud.

Unauthorized DOT usage is one of many fraud and security issues plaguing the transportation industry. From identity theft to cyber security, protecting your organization is imperative. Personnel must be trained, infrastructure must be regularly updated, and a vigilant approach to safety and data management is essential to avoiding problems that won’t go away any time soon. Want help evaluating your risks and protecting your business? We’re here to help.