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Carrier verification is nothing new to an experienced freight broker. Checking authority, insurance, contact information, and operating history has been part of the job for years. What has changed is how effectively fraudsters are learning to work around those checks.

Recent data helps explain why carrier verification continues to be such a common industry topic. Verisk CargoNet estimates that cargo theft losses exceeded $359 million across the U.S. and Canada during the first six months of 2026. In the second quarter alone, estimated losses reached $304.6 million, more than double the same period in 2025, even as the number of reported incidents declined.

The methods are changing, too. CargoNet continues to track schemes involving compromised carrier accounts, business email fraud, shipment misdirection, and identity-based fraud. Highway reported that communication-based attacks accounted for 50% of the freight fraud cases it classified in Q2 2026, up from 42.7% in Q1.

The issue isn't that brokers suddenly need to learn how to vet carriers. It's that a carrier can pass many of the usual checks and still present risk.

Verify beyond the carrier packet.

A clean packet and active authority are only part of the picture. Compare the carrier's legal name, DOT and MC numbers, address, phone number, insurance information, and other details against independent sources. Differences between what a carrier provides and what appears in trusted records deserve a closer look before moving forward.

Pay attention to who is actually communicating with you.

A legitimate carrier can still be impersonated. An unfamiliar email domain, different phone number, new dispatcher, or unexpected communication channel should get another look. Fraudsters may also gain access to legitimate accounts, making familiar contact information less reassuring than it once was.

Re-verify when something changes.

Some of the strongest warning signs can appear after the original vetting is complete. A different driver, truck, trailer, phone number, email address, dispatch contact, or pickup instruction should trigger another check. Verification should follow the load, not end when the carrier is first approved.

Get the shipper involved.

Let the shipper know who is expected to arrive for pickup, including the carrier, driver, truck, and any other identifying details available. That gives the shipping location another opportunity to confirm that the person arriving for the freight matches the information provided. If someone different shows up, the load should not move until the change is verified.

Look for consistency across the carrier profile.

Authority may be active. Insurance may be current. The phone number may work. Each item can check out on its own while the overall picture still does not make sense. Operating history, location, equipment, contact information, and the freight being accepted should all line up.

Be careful when urgency starts driving the decision.

Freight moves fast, and fraudsters know it. A truck is available, pickup is getting close, and someone wants the load covered. That pressure can make small warning signs easier to overlook. Verification standards matter most when there is pressure to move quickly.

Keep exceptions controlled.

There will always be situations that fall outside the normal process. Make sure exceptions are approved by the right people and documented. An unusual situation should not become a reason to bypass verification altogether.

Keep a record of what was verified.

Documenting verification gives the brokerage something to review if a problem happens later. Knowing what was checked, when it was checked, and what changed can also help identify where the process needs to improve.

Carrier verification has always been part of freight brokerage. What continues to change is what a fraudulent carrier can look like.

As bad actors get better at using legitimate identities, compromised accounts, and familiar communication channels, consistency matters even more. Verify the carrier, verify the people representing the carrier, keep the shipper informed, and take another look whenever something changes.

Sources

Verisk CargoNet, Q2 2026 Theft Trends
Verisk CargoNet, 2026 First-Half Loss Estimate
Highway, Q2 2026 Freight Fraud Index