Warnings For Dealing With DOT Compliance Scams
The US department of transportation and the federal motor carrier safety administration have talked about DOT scams at length in several of their letters, notice, directives, and public forums as well. They continue to guide trucking companies, carriers, freight forwarders, and brokers about the many ways that these scammers are targeting them and can be detrimental to the business and reputation if they do not take cognizance of their activities and understand how they function.
It is critical to know that these scammers and cybercriminals are not going to leave any stone unturned to extract even the last penny from your wallet. The following section talks about a few very critical signs that prove that you might be their next target. These signs can help you identify the perpetrator if he tries to get in touch with you or lure you in with any special offers or discounts. Let's have a look at them:
We Are A Legitimate Organization
The very first thing that they are going to do is use all the big words. They might use their real name with a fake URL that ends in ".gov" and then an extension that ends in ".com." They will throw around words such as "social security", "administration", "IRS", "department of transportation", "federal motor carrier safety administration", "compliance", "penalties", "charity" and other terminology.
Their main motive is to get you to believe them and all their claims. They will tell you that they are calling you or mailing you on the behalf of the government or an authorized federal body. They will get the best representative in their company to speak with you over the phone or chat with you on the internet. When you see all these signs, you will be able to clearly understand that they are trying too hard to come off as legitimate and authentic. Moving forward with them will be a huge mistake.
You Are In For A Problem Or A Prize
These scammers and cybercriminals have become very clever. They would either encourage you to fill out their application in exchange for a prize or perhaps make up a story that your business might be in peril if you do not do the needful by filling out that form. They would say that you are in trouble. Or as an alternative, they would say that you stand to win a grand prize just like your contemporary in the market. They can also say that there is a virus in your computer or probably that one of your accounts has been hacked. They would do all it takes to find out about your submission dates and would repeat the same in front of you so that their claims gain some ground. Remember, never to fall for these lines and especially if someone talks about lotteries and sweepstakes.
You Must Act Immediately, Is Their Request
DOT compliance scam groups also talk a lot about time being of the essence. They will pressurize you to act immediately. They will send you a link and would ask you to click on it and do as the directions tell you to do. Their behavior and conduct are filled with so much urgency that you will have very little time to think it through.
Some scammers might even threaten to get you arrested or get your business license revoked if you do not do as they tell you to do immediately. These are also very clear-cut signs that you should look out for. If you see or hear any such words and phrases, it is definitely a scam in progress.
Pay Up In A Particular Manner
Both, the department of transportation and the federal motor carrier safety administration warn you against making any kind of payment to these DOT scammers. They would often ask you to transfer money in a particular manner and not any other way. This is because they have agents working to detect and isolate that channel of money transfer and can extract critical financial information using special tools. Within practically no time, they have your debit card and credit card information and also any OTP that you have received on your phone.
So it is advised never to make any kind of payment to them, especially by putting your money on a gift card or using your credit card. And never ever share your financial details with them under any circumstances.
Now, let's give you a few additional tips to protect yourself and your trucking company from any DOT compliance scams out there that are currently robbing people of their hard-earned money
Be Alert About Various DOT Scams
The FMCSA says that there are several scams out there both on the internet, through telephone, US mail, mobile applications, social networking sites, and a lot more. You should be aware of all of them.
Do Not Open Suspicious Correspondence
If you get any emails, texts, WhatsApp messages, iMessages, Skype calls, or any such correspondence with misleading content, do not open them or respond to them. The department of transportation does not indulge in any direct contact with any trucking companies to send them reminders regarding their filing and submission dates.
Say No To Remote Access
If any representative of such "company" asks you for remote access to your system, say no to them immediately. Report their number or email address to your local enforcement agency right away.
Keep Your Personal Details Locked Up
It is never a good idea to share your personal or financial details with any individual over the internet or telephone. Protect Your Mobile Devices And Computers
You should install the latest spyware guards, malware protection, anti-virus software, and other tools and firewalls to protect your mobile devices and computers 24/7.
Choose Passwords Carefully
All your passwords should be a mix of alphanumeric and special characters regardless of the operating system or the hardware you use. Have A Closer Look At Your Privacy And Security Settings. Do not forget to have a closer look at your social media account privacy and security settings. Enable the necessary filters to clean out any spam or infected files and folders.
Do Not Use Unusual Payment Methods
If somebody asks you to make payments in the form of iTune cards, gift cards, preloaded debit cards, or through Bitcoin, do not do that at any cost.
Remember that the department of transportation and the federal motor carrier safety administration are always there to help you out. In addition to their help, you can seek the assistance of a dependable third-party administrator or DOT compliance facilitator in your city. You don't need anyone when you have the expert of DOT compliance with you. They will remind you of your submission dates. They will take care of your filings and other formalities and documentation as well so that you can do your business stress-free.
|
