10/09/2026
Double-brokering schemes are getting smarter. Here is your defense checklist.
Before tendering a load, don’t rely on an active MC number alone. A thorough carrier verification should cover four critical areas:
1. Check operating authority history.
Review the carrier’s authority status and history for unusual changes, recent activity, or inconsistencies that deserve a closer look.
2. Match contact information with FMCSA filings.
Verify that the phone number, address, company name, and other identifying details you’re using to communicate with the carrier align with their official records. Mismatches can be an important warning sign.
3. Check for chameleon carrier indicators.
Look for patterns that may connect a carrier to previously operating entities, including similarities in addresses, phone numbers, equipment, ownership, or other identifying information.
4. Confirm active insurance.
Make sure the carrier has current insurance filings that match the authority and carrier information you verified. An active authority does not automatically mean every insurance detail is current.
For a faster research process, MC LookUp can help you review carrier information in one place before you commit a load. Use the available data to investigate the carrier—not just check a box.
What is the first verification step your team takes before tendering a load?