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CRITICAL THREAT · Phishing and Identity Theft

FMCSA Scam Alert: Phishing Campaigns Targeting Motor Carriers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued multiple alerts regarding ongoing phishing campaigns targeting motor carriers. Scammers are impersonating government officials to solicit sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, USDOT PINs, and driver's licenses, through fraudulent emails and lookalike websites.

11/3/2026Motor CarriersFreight BrokersCommercial Trucking Industry

Warning signs

  • Emails demanding immediate action or threatening fines for non-compliance within 24 hours
  • Requests for sensitive information like Social Security numbers or USDOT PINs
  • Links directing users to non-government domains (e.g., sites not ending in .gov)
  • Emails originating from addresses that do not end in @dot.gov
  • Unsolicited requests for off-cycle registration updates or 'new' portal access

What you should do

  • Do not click on links or download attachments from suspicious emails
  • Verify the sender's email address; official FMCSA communications always use a .dot.gov domain
  • Navigate directly to official sites like fmcsa.dot.gov or motus.dot.gov by typing the address into your browser
  • If you have provided information to a suspected scammer, contact the FMCSA immediately to request a reset of your USDOT PIN
  • Report suspicious activity to the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB) or the DOT Office of Inspector General (OIG) hotline
The FMCSA reports that bad actors are sending deceptive emails to registered entities, often creating a false sense of urgency by threatening fines or enforcement actions if recipients do not comply within a short timeframe. These communications frequently direct users to unofficial websites—such as those mimicking the new 'Motus' registration portal—or request the completion of fraudulent forms. The agency emphasizes that it does not require sensitive personal information like SSNs or PINs on its official forms and that all legitimate FMCSA correspondence originates from a '.gov' email address. Scammers have been known to use unofficial email addresses, including those appearing to be from 'safety@fmcsa.gov' or 'filing@fmcsa.gov', which are not legitimate agency accounts.

Sources

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/fraud-alertshttps://www.buses.org/news/scam-alert-fake-motus-emails-targeting-motor-carriers/https://www.ralaw.com/media/insights/Transportation%20Alert/new_scam_targeting_motor_carriershttps://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/help/broker-and-carrier-fraud-and-identity-theft