Broker impersonation: how to verify contacts

In broker impersonation, a scammer uses a real broker's name and MC to book you on a load, then steals the freight, the payment, or your information. The real broker is often a victim too.

Verify every new contact

• Phone: call back on the number listed on FMCSA SAFER or the broker's official website, not the number in the email or load post.
• Email domain: it should match the broker's real website exactly. Watch for extra letters, swapped characters, different endings (.co vs .com) and free email providers.
• Paperwork: the rate con's legal name, MC and address should match FMCSA.
• Payment changes: treat any request to change factoring, remit-to address or bank details as suspicious until confirmed by phone with a known contact.

Use RatedPaid's contact lookup

Signed-in carriers can paste a phone number or email on the home page. We show whether it matches the FMCSA record for a broker and whether carriers have reported it in impersonation reports.

If it happened to you

Tell the real broker, your factoring company and law enforcement, and file an impersonation report on RatedPaid so other carriers see the contact details.

Last reviewed 2026-10-25. General information, not legal advice. More guides · Check a broker