FMCSA Warns Motor Carriers Of Fraudulent Vendors Posing As Government Agencies

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is warning motor carriers of predatory companies posing as government agencies seeking to collect $149 filing fees for U.S. DOT number renewal.

One company sent past-due notices to motor carriers under the name “FMCSA Compliance Processing Group.”

The letters warn motor carriers to “contact us immediately” or risk fines of $1,000 a day and out of service orders, “per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.”

The company’s letter takes advantage of a requirement for U.S. DOT number holders to update their company information every two years by filing a new MCS-150 form with the FMCSA.

In its warning, FMCSA said it is aware motor carrier officials and new entrant applicants often receive “confusing or misleading solicitations” from service providers or third-party administrators via telephone, email, text and U.S. Mail.

These businesses obtain publicly available company information provided when submitting applications and renewals required to comply with FMCSA regulations.

The FMCSA says it never contacts motor carriers via telemarketers or robocall solicitations, nor requests credit card numbers by telephone or charge a fee for downloadable forms that can be found for free at fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/forms.

FMCSA said aggressive or fraudulent marketing complaints include motor carriers being pressured to immediately enroll in drug and alcohol supervisor training, offer general agency regulatory and compliance support, Unified Carrier Registration compliance or biennial updates, FMCSA said.

The agency said motor carriers should report all fraudulent requests for information to the Office of Inspector General Hotline via oig.dot.gov/hotline or by calling (800) 424-9071.

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