In the high-stakes world of transportation, the threat of trucking fraud and theft lurks around every corner. From double-brokering schemes to unauthorized fuel purchases, the financial impact on carriers is substantial. At OTR Solutions, we understand the unique challenges carriers face to protect their businesses from increasingly clever scams.
That’s why we’ve built tools and services specifically designed to shield your operations from freight fraud while keeping your business moving forward with confidence. In this article, we’ll explore how our solutions can protect your trucking business from the most common fraud schemes in the industry.
4 Common Trucking Fraud Scams & How OTR Solutions Helps Prevent Them
Fraud in the trucking industry doesn’t just hit big fleets—it targets carriers of all sizes. These scams can wipe out your profits, mess with your operations, and even threaten your authority if you’re not careful. Here’s how OTR Solutions helps you stay protected from each type.
1. Double-Brokering Scams
This scam happens when someone pretends to be a legit broker. They accept a load from a broker and then re-broker it to a real carrier. The carrier delivers the load, but the scammer pockets the payment and never pays the carrier who did the work.
How OTR Protects You:
24/7 Broker Checks & Vetting
Use our mobile app or portal to check broker credit instantly. Our team goes further, using real-time market data and detailed risk analysis to identify red flags and protect you from working with untrustworthy brokers.
Guaranteed Payment
With True Non-Recourse Factoring, if OTR pays you for an invoice, that money is yours to keep—even if the broker doesn’t pay us, removing that risk from your business.
13 Years of Industry Expertise
We’ve been protecting carriers from scams for over a decade. Our fraud detection systems are built from years of hands-on experience, helping us stop problems before they reach you.
2. Fuel Card Fraud
Fuel card misuse is one of the most common threats. Whether it’s someone using the card for personal expenses, card skimming at fuel pumps, or stolen card info, it all adds up—and fast. These unauthorized charges can drain your funds before you even catch them.
How OTR Protects You:
Real-Time Transaction Monitoring
Our mobile app gives you instant updates on every fuel purchase so you can catch unauthorized charges as they happen—not after the damage is already done to your account or business.
Driver-Specific Cards & Spending Limits
Assign cards to each driver and customize spending limits. This helps you control how much gets spent and where, reducing fraud risks while keeping drivers on the road.
3. Identity Theft & Account Takeovers
Scammers hack into load boards, factoring accounts, or payment systems. Once inside, they can reroute payments, steal sensitive info, or make fake transactions in your name.
How OTR Protects You:
Secure Access to OTR’s Services
OTR uses advanced logins, encryption, and data protections to make sure your information stays private and only accessible to authorized users within your business.
Account Manager Oversight
Your dedicated account manager gets to know your operation so they can spot any activity that doesn’t align with your typical behavior.
Bank-Level Security in OTR Clutch
OTR Clutch uses industry-standard encryption and security practices to protect your business’s finances, keeping your sensitive business information safe from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
4. Invoice & Payment Fraud
This one’s sneaky. Fraudsters create fake invoices, swap out payment details, or intercept real communications to reroute your funds. These scams often go unnoticed until a big chunk of money is already gone.
How OTR Protects You:
Collections Managed by OTR
Our team handles the back-end collections process directly with brokers, so you don’t have to. This takes the pressure off your business, keeps your payments on track, and adds a layer of security against payment-related scams.
Secure Banking with OTR Clutch
Keeping your business and personal finances separate makes it easier to detect fraud. OTR Clutch gives you a safe place to manage business funds and reduce the chance of cross-account risk.
Securing Your Fuel Expenses with the OTR Fuel Card
The OTR Fuel Card offers security features designed specifically to protect carriers from fuel-related fraud while giving you great savings at the pump.
Real-Time Transaction Monitoring
Track every fuel purchase as it happens through the OTR Mobile App. This lets you stay up to date on all transactions and spot unauthorized purchases right away, instead of discovering them days or weeks later when reviewing statements.
Individual Card Controls and Gallon Limits
Give each driver their own fuel card and assign gallon limits—not dollar limits—to control how much they can fuel. These controls help you manage spending and avoid overuse while still allowing flexibility to fuel when needed.
In-Network Station Restrictions
You can turn off out-of-network access, forcing drivers to fuel only at in-network locations. This ensures proper discounts and gives you greater control over fuel spending.
Best Practices for Fraud Prevention in Trucking Operations
Beyond OTR’s protective tools, implementing these strategies can significantly boost your defense against trucking fraud and theft in your operation.
Regular Account Monitoring and Review
Set up a routine schedule to review all financial statements and fuel card transactions. Even with automated systems, human oversight remains crucial for catching subtle fraud indicators that might slip through technological controls.
Staff Training on Fraud Prevention
Teach your team about common scams targeting the trucking industry and establish clear protocols for verifying load information. Regular training sessions raise security awareness and ensure that everyone understands their role in protecting company assets.
Document Verification Protocols
Implement strict procedures for verifying rate confirmations, broker agreements, and delivery instructions. Always double-check contact information, payment terms, and delivery details through official channels rather than relying solely on emails or text messages that could be fraudulent.
Comprehensive Security Policy
Develop written security procedures covering everything from password management to suspicious broker identification. A formal policy ensures consistent practices across your organization and provides clear guidance when potential fraud situations arise.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fraud Protection for Carriers
What is double-brokering and how can I avoid it?
Double-brokering happens when someone poses as a legitimate broker to steal freight. Prevent this by using OTR’s 24/7 broker check system before accepting loads, verifying broker information through official channels and being suspicious of rates that seem too good to be true.
How does True Non-Recourse Factoring protect me from freight fraud?
True Non-Recourse Factoring transfers all credit risk to OTR Solutions. Once we pay you for a delivered load, that money is yours to keep, regardless of whether the broker ever pays us. Our broker vetting system helps you avoid working with high-risk brokers in the first place.
Can the OTR Fuel Card prevent unauthorized purchases?
The OTR Fuel Card offers customizable controls, including spending limits, merchant category restrictions, and real-time transaction monitoring. These features allow you to prevent, detect and respond to unauthorized purchases immediately, minimizing potential losses from fuel card fraud.
Why should I separate my personal and business banking?
Separating personal and business finances through OTR Clutch protects your personal assets from business liabilities, simplifies tax preparation, and makes it easier to detect unusual transactions. This separation is also crucial for maintaining proper corporate structure and avoiding “piercing the corporate veil” issues where your personal assets could become vulnerable to business claims.
What should I do if I suspect fraudulent activity?
If you suspect fraud, contact your OTR Solutions account manager immediately. Document everything, change passwords for affected accounts, and consider filing reports with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and local law enforcement. Quick action is essential to minimize potential damage.
Secure Your Business with OTR Solutions’ Complete Protection
Trucking companies today face sophisticated threats that demand solid protection against trucking fraud. OTR Solutions delivers complete security through our integrated services: True Non-Recourse Factoring that shields you from double-brokering schemes, the secure OTR Fuel Card, and OTR Clutch business banking. Don’t wait until fraudsters target your operation. Contact OTR Solutions today for a protection strategy that safeguards your business while supporting your growth and success.