Many business owners in the trucking industry depend on the internet for their success. It’s an invaluable resource for advertising your services, finding work, conducting research and connecting with peers in the industry. While the internet presents countless opportunities, it also comes with dangers that could compromise your business if you’re not conscious of your cybersecurity.
While there are countless ways to work online and a near-endless supply of forums, discussion boards, websites and platforms to connect with others, Facebook is by far the biggest and most powerful. In this blog, we’ll explain the dangers of conducting business on Facebook groups and what you can do to protect your business and your personal information.
Facebook Groups
In July 2022, Facebook saw 2.9 billion active users. You’re likely one of them and if you run a business you probably have a page dedicated to that as well. In addition to your personal profile and business page, many users join Facebook groups to discuss their interests, hobbies and jobs.
The trucking industry is no exception, with numerous Facebook groups dedicated to truckers and trucking companies. Most of these groups are a place for casual conversation or sharing tips related to the trucking business, but some people use these groups to find work or advertise job opportunities. These spaces are where scammers and criminals can do the most damage and take advantage of small businesses and independent drivers looking for work.
Scams on Facebook Trucking Groups
The most prevalent scam in truck driver Facebook groups involves scammers posing as dispatchers. They will often create posts in groups, leave comments or send direct messages advertising dispatch services. If a driver replies to their post, they’ll ask the driver for personal information like their company’s DOT number, so they can book orders under that driver’s name. This effectively allows the scammer to steal the driver’s identity and take on jobs that they have no intention of fulfilling.
The scammers will accept jobs from real dispatchers and use their own truck to pick up the customer’s vehicle. But instead of completing the delivery like a standard carrier, the scammer will attempt to collect payment at pickup and then abandon the vehicle as quickly as they can. Fortunately, there are several ways for trucking companies to protect their business and ensure the safety of their customers’ vehicles.
How to identify scams
Many of these scam posts will blend in with the general conversation of the group—they might look like any other post or comment. However, they’ll usually fall apart upon closer inspection. If a post doesn’t seem right or looks too good to be true, do some additional research to make sure it’s not a scam.
Investigate the user profile
Does the user have a full name and photo associated with their profile? Can you find any other references of that person online? If there are no other traces of the person online, like a business address or other online profiles, there’s a chance that they could be a fake profile looking to scam other users.
Verify the business
Similar to verifying the user, do some additional research on the business that is advertising its services. Many scammers will post offers for dispatch services with a fake business name. These fake businesses are easy to debunk with a few Google searches. Some businesses will have a page on the Better Business Bureau or user reviews on Google. If you can’t find a verified business profile on Facebook, a legitimate website or any kind of user reviews about the business, proceed with caution.
Protect your personal information
If you make contact with one of these profiles, be wary of the ones that request personal information. Many scammers will attempt to collect things like your name, business address, DOT number or other credentials related to your trucking business. If you can’t verify the person’s identity or find credible information about their business, do not share any information with them.
Best practices for safe business online
The best way to keep your truck driving business safe online is by using carefully moderated and verified platforms. Rather than looking for dispatch services on Facebook groups or forums, use an official load board or licensed broker. While some of these platforms require a paid subscription, that extra step goes a long way to verify users and protect you from scams. You’ll have access to more jobs in one place and enjoy the peace of mind knowing they’re coming from reputable sources.
About Montway Auto Transport
Montway Auto Transport is one of the largest car shipping brokers in the industry with the resources, support and tools to keep your business moving forward. Our nationwide network of 15,000+ carriers moves over 200,000 vehicles a year. With over 80,000 customer reviews we’ve earned our reputation as America’s top auto transporter. Learn more about Montway Auto Transport.
