How to check a freight broker before you book

Updated October 2026

Getting paid matters as much as the rate. Check every new broker before you haul for them.

The checks

Authority: look up the broker's MC number on the FMCSA website and confirm their broker authority is active. Contact details: make sure the phone number and email match the company's official listing, not just what's in the posting. Credit and days to pay: many load boards and factoring companies show broker credit scores and average days to pay. Reviews from other carriers.

Double-brokering warning signs

A rate that's well above the market for no clear reason. A broker who pushes you to pick up fast before you're set up. Email domains that don't match the company. Requests to send paperwork somewhere unusual. When something feels off, call the broker's official number to confirm the load is real.

Protect your payment

Get a rate confirmation for every load, keep signed bills of lading and proof of delivery, and consider factoring with broker credit checks if cash flow is tight.

Try it: Load profit checker