Carrier risk
Carrier Risk & Vetting Resource Center
A practical evidence map for deciding who receives a load, documenting exceptions, and responding when identity or shipment facts do not align.
Last reviewed August 27, 2026
Direct answer
Carrier vetting is not a single database lookup or a guarantee. A defensible process independently confirms current authority, identity, insurance, equipment and pickup facts; records when each source was checked; escalates inconsistencies; and gives an authorized reviewer the final load-specific decision.
Guide map
Core process
Carrier Vetting Checklist
A documented, load-specific review of authority, identity, insurance, equipment, safety information, and exceptions.
Read guideFraud defense
Avoid Double-Brokering Scams
Investigate identity inconsistencies, unauthorized re-brokering, payment changes, and pickup anomalies without treating one signal as proof.
Read guideOnboarding
Carrier Onboarding Checklist
Collect and verify the records needed before tendering freight and retain a timestamped decision record.
Read guideIncident response
Cargo Claims and OS&D
Document shipment exceptions and preserve the records needed when loss, shortage, or damage occurs.
Read guideUse signals as investigation triggers
A young authority, free email address, small fleet, unrated safety status, vendor alert, or aggressive rate can justify more verification, but none proves fraud alone. Compare independent records and document why an exception was approved or rejected.
Protect the handoff
Reconfirm the driver, tractor and trailer before pickup. Treat bank, factoring, phone, email, dispatch-contact, or delivery-instruction changes as high-risk events requiring callback through a previously verified channel.
Clean authority does not equal clean identity
A legitimate-looking authority can be purchased, hijacked, or impersonated. Match the person communicating with you to the company, insurance contact, equipment and pickup event rather than relying on authority status by itself.