Scam Did Not Go As Planned

So this email was sent to an O/O who works under my authority.  Someone contacted him about hauling loads.  They are not on BL.

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As discussed, we are currently working on below queries..…. could you pls. quote your competitive rates pls…??

-          Pickup                                   :               Stockton CA 95203

-          Delivery                                :             Gill, CO 80624         

-          Truck type                            :             Hopper bottom

-          Commodity                          :             Soybean Meal “Feed Grade”

-          Per load Qty.                       :             22 - 23MT and not US short ton

We done 18-20 loads in last month…..we expect similar lot by end of March 2024.

Pls. give your competitive rate quote per MT basis…

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I contacted the guy and talked to him and he wanted me to send all my driver's CDL's to him. 

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Hello Terry, How many trucks can you provide me on this lane?

And also, we need the updated COI with truck insured also mentioned on it directly from insurance company before using this carrier.

CDL of the drivers, who will on this lane

Kindly let me know and I'll start working on the work orders

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Normally I do not bat an eye at a COI, MC Authority, W9...  etc.  But asking for my driver's personal information was a huge redflag.

So I turned things around a bit with this reply:

We are an established company, we can not give you the CDL’s of the drivers.  We maintain compliance with FMCSA with ELD’s and the audits they perform.  No broker has ever asked me for the CDL’s of our drivers and I find that an unusual request.   

I can however provide you with driver’s name and truck numbers.  All the trucks say King Capital Logistics on the side and carry my DOT/MC number.

We have 1 truck available immediately this week and we can make the others available once your company clears a credit check with our factoring company.

Please send me your Brokerage authority and I will request a COI.

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I then get this reply:

Let me check with my safety department

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A few days went by and no reply, so I sent him another email:

I have not heard back from you.  If you get me the information I need to run you through the credit department, we can start hauling those loads right away.

I can’t haul loads for a new broker without first assessing whether I will get paid or not.

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Not sure what scam he was running, but if a broker thinks I am giving out the person information of my drivers, they are nutts. I would not have given this guy a second thought if he had not asked for that.

As of this point, I have not heard anything back from him.  The address he gave me appears to be a real location.  The website they have seems to be generic and one that makes them look like they are players in the world freight market. 

This broker has never posted a load on Bulkloads and is not listed.  No idea how he got my o/o's info.  

The scams are out there and looking for people who don't understand how things work.  A new guy might have given out all his employees personal info.