The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is warning truck drivers, owner operators, and motor carriers about a sharp rise in scam emails designed to steal sensitive business and personal information.
On Jan. 30, FMCSA issued an alert describing what it called “a new, aggressive phishing campaign” aimed directly at trucking companies. The agency said the emails are crafted to look official and may appear to come from the U.S. Department of Transportation or FMCSA staff.
According to the agency, these messages often include polished documents and links that look legitimate at first glance. However, FMCSA stressed that the emails “are fake and designed to steal sensitive information or demand illegal payments.”
How the Scam Emails Are Designed to Trick Carriers
FMCSA explained that the fraudulent messages frequently mimic real government notices and may reference compliance, enforcement actions, or required payments to pressure recipients into responding quickly.
One key red flag involves the sender’s email address. Official FMCSA communication almost always comes from a government domain ending in “.gov.” The agency noted that emails from non-government addresses are only used in very limited situations.
Those exceptions include customer satisfaction surveys sent after contacting the FMCSA Contact Center. Even then, FMCSA emphasized that those surveys only request feedback and never ask for personal, payment, or account information.
Another warning sign involves the links included in scam messages. FMCSA said fake emails often direct recipients to suspicious websites that resemble official portals but use non-government domains. An example provided by the agency included addresses such as fmcsa.web.saferwebdattaconnect.pro, which are not legitimate FMCSA sites.
What FMCSA Will Never Ask You to Do
FMCSA made it clear that it does not request sensitive information through unsolicited emails or messages.
The agency stated it will never ask for payment or confidential details such as:
- UCR information
- PINs
- Social Security numbers
- Employer Identification Numbers
- Bank account details
Any message requesting this type of information should be treated as suspicious.
What To Do If You Receive a Suspicious Email
If a truck driver or carrier receives an unexpected message claiming to be from DOT or FMCSA, the agency advises not to interact with it until the communication can be verified.
FMCSA recommends avoiding all links and attachments and confirming legitimacy through official channels, including the FMCSA Contact Center or by calling the agency directly at 1 800 832 5660.
FMCSA Recommended Steps for Reporting Scam Emails
Drivers and carriers who encounter suspected phishing messages are encouraged to take the following actions:
- Do not click on any links or open attachments
- Do not reply to the sender
- File a complaint with the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3 website
- Report the email to the FMCSA Contact Center or call 1 800 832 5660
- Visit the Federal Trade Commission website for guidance on phishing and email verification
FMCSA said maintaining strong personal cyber hygiene remains the most effective defense against scams. Taking a few extra seconds to verify emails can prevent costly disruptions to a trucking business and protect sensitive records.
Source: Overdrive
