Double Brokering: What It Is and How to Avoid It

How double-brokering and identity-theft scams work in trucking, the warning signs to watch for, and the checks that stop most of them.

Updated October 21, 2026 · 6 min read

What double brokering is

Double brokering is when a load is passed to another carrier or broker without the authority or permission to do so. A common example: a company books your load as a carrier, then secretly re-brokers it to a different carrier at a lower rate — and often never pays that carrier. The shipper loses visibility and insurance protection; the real carrier may not get paid.

How the scams usually work

Identity theft: a fraudster uses a real broker's or carrier's name and MC number with a look-alike email domain or phone number.
Fresh authorities: new MC numbers are obtained, used for a burst of loads, then abandoned before payments come due.
Re-brokering by "carriers": a company with only carrier authority accepts loads and hands them to other carriers.

Warning signs

Email domain doesn't exactly match the company's real website.
Contact phone differs from the number on the FMCSA record.
Authority granted only weeks or months ago, especially with a burst of activity.
Rates far above market, pressure to decide fast, or last-minute changes to pickup location or payment details.
The truck or driver that shows up doesn't match the carrier on the rate confirmation.

How to protect yourself

Verify the broker: active broker authority, bond on file, authority age, revocation history.
Call back on the phone number listed in FMCSA records to confirm the person and the load.
For shippers: require the carrier's details on the rate confirmation and confirm the truck at pickup.
For carriers: be wary of loads from brand-new brokers and of any request to change payment instructions.
Keep written records of every communication.

If it happens to you

Document everything (emails, phone numbers, rate confirmations, BOLs). If you weren't paid, file a claim against the broker's BMC-84 bond or BMC-85 trust fund. You can also report fraud to FMCSA through its National Consumer Complaint Database, and consider speaking with a transportation attorney.

Check a broker now

Look up any MC or USDOT number to see authority, bond, revocations and red flags.

Check an MC number

Frequently asked questions

Is double brokering illegal?

Arranging transportation for others requires broker authority. A carrier that re-brokers a load without broker authority, or anyone who brokers a load without the shipper’s knowledge in violation of their contract, can face legal and financial consequences. Consult a transportation attorney for your situation.

Is co-brokering the same as double brokering?

No. Co-brokering is when two licensed brokers openly work together on a load with everyone’s agreement. Double brokering involves passing the load on without authority or without the shipper’s knowledge.

How can carriers avoid getting stuck with an unpaid load?

Verify the broker’s authority and bond, call the phone number on the FMCSA record to confirm the load, and be cautious with brand-new authorities and look-alike email domains.

Related guides

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm a broker's status with FMCSA before doing business.