1
Check the authority badge on the load card
Look at the broker’s badge on the load card in search results.
- Green = Active FMCSA authority. Good signal.
- Red = Unverified. Pause and verify before you proceed.
- Gray = Not checked yet. Treat like red until you confirm.
2
Open the broker profile
Click View broker on the load card to open the full profile at
/brokers/broker_<id>.3
Verify the MC# on FMCSA
Copy the MC number from the profile. Look it up on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Confirm the broker authority is active and the name matches.
4
Check total loads seen and first seen date
A broker first seen days ago with thousands of total loads warrants extra scrutiny. Very high volume from a brand-new name is a red flag. Cross-check with FMCSA.
5
Review average time to fill
Fast-filling brokers are usually competitive and legitimate. If the average is missing or very slow, that is neutral. If it is very fast on a huge volume, that confirms active business.
6
Check posting completeness
This tells you how organized the broker is, not whether they are legitimate. A tidy broker is easier to work with. A messy broker with low completeness may waste your time with incomplete details.
7
Scan the Previous loads tab
The Previous tab shows aged-off postings. Compare today’s rate against their history. If the rate is far off their normal range, ask why before you commit.
8
Confirm AP contact info
Check the Contact panel for AP contact, AP email, and AP phone. AP means accounts payable. You need this to invoice and get paid. If it is N/A, ask for it on your first call.
What to do if something feels off
If the authority badge is red, the MC number does not match FMCSA, or the broker’s history looks suspicious, do not load. Go back to the board and find another broker. No load is worth the risk of fraud or non-payment.Avoiding freight fraud
Red flags for double-brokering and fraud, and what to do if you spot them.
Read a broker profile
A full breakdown of every section on a broker profile page and how to use it.