Not every company calling itself a freight broker is legitimate, licensed, or financially stable. These red flags help shippers identify brokers who may put their freight and money at risk.
Every legitimate freight broker must have an active MC number from the FMCSA. Verify at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before signing anything. If a broker refuses to provide their MC number, or if it comes back inactive, walk away immediately.
FMCSA requires all licensed freight brokers to maintain a $75,000 surety bond (BMC-84). This bond protects shippers if the broker fails to pay carriers or defrauds customers. Ask for the bond number and verify it with the bonding company.
Double brokering — re-brokering your load to another broker without consent — is illegal. Signs include: the carrier name on delivery doesn't match the rate confirmation, or you receive calls from an unknown broker saying they have your freight.
If a quote is 30–40% below market, someone is cutting a corner — uninsured carrier, planned double-brokering, or a broker planning to fail paying the carrier (leaving you exposed to a carrier lien on your freight). IZY Logistics: MC #1615290 | USDOT #4191217 | $75,000 bonded. Verify us at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
IZY Logistics is a licensed freight broker (MC #1615290) serving shippers across the United States. Get a competitive quote in under 30 seconds.
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