If you are a freight broker, you may relate how hard it is to manage your tasks during busy days. You need to satisfy your customers by keeping a close eye on everyday tasks. However, in some cases, dishonest people try to take advantage of your business by offering eye-catching offers and other types of scams. Being in the industry, you need to understand these scams and stay vigilant. Let us discuss some common freight scams and ways to prevent them:

Holding the Bill of Lading

This is an online scam where the scammer will pretend to be a freight forwarder for a popular eCommerce website. You can easily identify these fraudulent people, as they will offer you ridiculously low rates for their services. What’s more, these scammers are looking for unwitting clients so they can start negotiating for the products.

After the client agrees upon the deal, they will pack the goods from the port. However, a scammer will not release BOL or Bill of Lading, which is the final document and works as a receipt. Without this document, the client cannot claim their shipment, and the scammer will then demand some ransom for releasing the document.

To avoid this type of fraud, you must compare the normal cost with the rates offered by the freight forwarding company. The scammers easily target new importers who find these offers amazing because they don’t have enough knowledge. Once, they trust the scammer, they fall for the trap. Be sure that the company you are dealing with has its official site and look for the client’s reviews and testimonies before trusting them.

The Duplicate Name

In this freight forwarding fraud, scammers create a fake website with a name like a legitimate site. Companies can have similar names, but in this case, the company intends to steal money. Since new importers have minimal knowledge, they cannot differentiate between a fake and legitimate company.

Make sure you avoid this scam by understanding what makes a legitimate site different. You can identify a fake site through its URL, as many fake websites misspell the company’s name. Consider visiting the official website of the company and check the spelling. Also, verify the domain name of the website!

Conclusion

Since COVID-19, the number of scams is rapidly increasing in the freight industry. You need to be aware of fraudulent activities and secure your funds. It is important to verify the information of the carrier before releasing the funds. Adopting these small, but helpful practices will help you identify and avoid different types of frauds, helping you save time and money while protecting the business.

Why Choose AWA for Your Transportation Collection Needs?

AWA operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning, if we cannot collect, you owe us nothing. If you have unpaid freight invoices and are not sure what to do next, call 662-892-8591 to speak with one of AWA’s client specialists today or Place a Direct Claim Today

For more information on our agency practices and methods, view our AWA Collection Process Page.