Every legitimate U.S. freight broker must hold active FMCSA broker authority (an MC number) and a surety bond or trust of at least $75,000. Both are publicly verifiable, free, in seconds, through the FMCSA's SAFER system.
Look Up Their MC Number on SAFER
The FMCSA's SAFER Company Snapshot (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) lets you search by company name, USDOT number, or MC number. A legitimate broker's authority status should show as active, not revoked or pending.
Confirm the Bond or Trust Is Actually in Place
Broker authority requires a $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond or BMC-85 trust fund on file. This protects you if the broker fails to pay a carrier and a claim needs to be made against that security — it's worth confirming it's active, not just that the authority itself exists.
Check That the Business Name Matches
A common red flag is a broker operating under a name that doesn't match what's registered with the FMCSA, or contacting you from a generic email domain instead of their corporate one. If the name on your rate confirmation doesn't match the SAFER record, ask why.
What Legitimate Verification Doesn't Guarantee
An active MC number and bond confirm the broker is legally operating — it doesn't by itself guarantee service quality or financial stability. It's the baseline check, not the only one, before trusting a broker with your freight.
IZY Logistics is a licensed freight broker (MC #1615290) happy to walk through any charge or term on your invoice.
Get a Free Quote →Frequently Asked Questions
Is checking a broker's MC number free?
Yes — the FMCSA's SAFER system is a free, public database anyone can search by company name or MC/USDOT number.
What does it mean if a broker's authority shows as revoked?
It means they're not currently authorized to legally arrange transportation — a serious red flag that should stop you from booking with them.
Does having an active MC number mean a broker is trustworthy?
It confirms they're legally licensed, which is the essential baseline — but it doesn't guarantee service quality, so it's worth pairing with other checks like reviews or references.
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