Freight fraud and unlawful charges
Double brokering, identity theft, phantom chargebacks, and deductions no contract allows. We trace the money and hold the right parties accountable.
Fraud is now a leading cause of carrier losses
Freight fraud has exploded. Bad actors set up shell brokerages, hijack legitimate carriers' MC numbers, re-broker loads to unknowing carriers, and disappear with the shipper's money. Legitimate carriers are left with unpaid loads, cargo claims for freight they never touched, and chargebacks they never agreed to.
Schemes we handle
Double brokering
A "broker" accepts your load, then re-brokers it, or accepts a broker's load while posing as a carrier, and pockets the spread. The carrier who actually hauled the freight is often unpaid. We pursue the original broker, the shipper, and the double-broker's bond, and we get you paid for the work you performed.
Carrier identity theft
Fraudsters clone your MC number, DOT number, and company name to book loads. You find out when a shipper calls about freight you never hauled or a cargo claim lands on your desk. We help you respond to FMCSA, document the theft, defend against bogus claims, and pursue the responsible parties.
Unlawful chargebacks and deductions
Brokers and shippers sometimes deduct "claims," "late fees," "fuel advances," or "admin fees" from your settlement with no contractual basis and no documentation. Those deductions are debts owed to you. We demand the backup, and when there isn't any, we collect.
Quick-pay and factoring abuse
Quick-pay fees that weren't disclosed, factoring "reserves" that never get released, and fees tacked on after the rate confirmation are recoverable in many circumstances. We review the paperwork and recover what was taken.
Fraudulent cargo claims
A broker holds your invoice hostage over a cargo claim with no photos, no inspection, and no proof of value. Under the Carmack Amendment the claimant has burdens to meet. We make them meet those burdens or release your money.
How we pursue it
- Trace the chain of custody and the flow of money through rate confirmations, bond records, and bank records obtained in litigation
- File claims against every available bond and trust fund
- Pursue fraud, conversion, and unjust enrichment claims that can reach individuals, not just empty companies
- Report to FMCSA, state attorneys general, and law enforcement where appropriate
- Coordinate with your factoring company and insurer