fraud
/frôd/
Noun
Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
In trucking, we fight fraud every day. There is monetary value in appearing to be a legitimate motor carrier. Fraudsters often purchase or copy the MC numbers of true truckers to create the appearance of legitimacy. Which is why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration advises that Motor Carrier numbers are no longer issued and do not grant access to online data at the agency (https://www.prepassalliance.org/fmcsa-updating-online-registration-system/).
Those who trade in trickery try to hide their misdeeds elsewhere. Which is why state driver licensing agencies (SDLAs) now electronically exchange out-of-state convictions and disqualifications and, working with FMCSA, review Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse records and medical exam reports (https://www.prepassalliance.org/behind-the-scenes-on-cdls/), (https://www.prepassalliance.org/truck-driver-medical-exam-results-going-digital/).
Hidden fees and unexplained costs are the stock in trade of some unscrupulous actors. Which is why FMCSA is moving toward greater broker transparency (https://www.prepassalliance.org/what-fmcsa-proposes-for-broker-transparency/), (https://www.prepassalliance.org/broker-transparency-second-chance-to-comment/).
While state and federal agencies are partners in fighting fraud, motor carriers and truck drivers have a role to play. Tolling and phishing scams call for awareness and restraint (https://www.prepassalliance.org/how-to-avoid-tolling-scams/). Motor carriers should double-check their Driver Qualification Files to be sure the medical examiners are listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Remember, over 15,000 truck drivers received faulty medical clearances from disqualified examiners. (https://www.prepassalliance.org/fmcsa-icr-serves-as-a-reminder/).
Fraud never sleeps. Recently, two Florida Department of Motor Vehicle employees were arrested for allegedly providing driver’s licenses, including CDLs, in exchange for bribes, to individuals who had not met statutory requirements (https://landline.media/florida-dmv-employees-busted-for-issuing-illegal-licenses/). Motor carriers may not be in a position to “bust” such illegal activity. But SDLAs will respond to a carrier query about the legitimacy of a commercial driver’s license.
And, to allay many rumors, it is simply not true, absent such bribery, that a foreign truck driver may present a local apartment rental receipt, claim U.S. residency, and exchange a foreign commercial driver’s license for one from a U.S. state. According to the experts at the Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), license transfers are only allowed from a certified state CDL Program. All others must go through the entire FMCSA-approved CDL issuance process, including medical certification, commercial driver learners permit training, plus knowledge, skills, and road testing by SDLA examiners.
Combatting fraud requires continual vigilance. State and federal agencies are doing their part. Motor carriers and truck drivers should not hesitate to reach out whenever something doesn’t look or feel legitimate.