Account takeover through phishing is a growing threat across the freight industry, affecting carriers on load boards and brokerage sites. We want to make sure you have the information to protect your business wherever you operate.
How carrier phishing scams work
Scammers are using phishing emails to get into carrier accounts on load boards and brokerage sites. The emails typically look like they’re from a broker, load board, the FMCSA, or your bank. If you open the links in these emails and enter login info, the scammer can access your account, add unauthorized drivers, and book loads they intend to steal. They often don’t change passwords or bank details, so the activity is hard to spot until a load goes missing or your company sees bookings it didn’t make.
Phishing scam warning signs
- Emails from addresses that don’t end in amazon.com asking you to click a link to “verify your account.” Don’t respond to, or click any links within emails pretending to be Amazon or Relay.
- Calls or texts asking for login credentials (legitimate parties never ask for these). Amazon Relay will never request Relay carrier’s sensitive account information, password or the one-time password. This information should only be entered directly by you on the Relay website or portal.
- Notifications about loads or drivers you didn’t add.
- Unsolicited offers to buy your business or manage your loads.
- Suspicious links. According the Better Business Bureau, scammers link to fake websites that fraudulently collect sensitive information. Always hover over the link before you click and make sure that the hyperlink text matches the link preview text. Also, type the website address directly into your browser to avoid on clicking any buttons. Legitimate Amazon Relay websites have “relay.amazon.com” at the beginning of the URL. For example, “relay.amazon.com/get-started.” Never click a link seems like a legitimate Relay URL but doesn’t follow that format.
How to protect your account from phishing
1. Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your email. This is the best step you can take and takes less than five minutes. Even if someone gets your password, MFA blocks sign-in without a code from your phone. Most providers offer it free:
- Gmail: myaccount.google.com/security
- Outlook/Hotmail: account.microsoft.com/security
- Yahoo: login.yahoo.com/account/security
2. Check your email filters. Scammers set inbox rules to hide notifications. Open your email settings, go to Filters or Rules, and remove any filter you didn’t create, especially ones that auto-delete or auto-archive messages.
3. Review your carrier accounts on load board and brokerage sites. Log in and check:
- Driver list: Do you recognize every driver?
- Admin/dispatcher list: Is everyone someone you approved?
- Recent activity: Do you recognize the loads booked?
- Bank account details: Has it changed without your approval?
Who to contact if you suspect phishing
If you find anything unauthorized, change your email and account passwords, and let Amazon Relay know:
- Changing ownership? If you’re buying, selling, or closing your business, email relay-ownership-transfers@amazon.com at least 30 days ahead. Informally transfers put your company at risk for taxes and claims until a transfer is formally approved. Never transfer or sell your account to someone you don’t know.
- See something, say something. If something looks off, report it to relay-network-reports@amazon.com. Quick reporting helps protect your company and every carrier in the network.
Haul with a network that’s built to protect your business
Security isn’t just a feature. It’s how Amazon Relay operates. Every carrier on the network goes through identity verification. Every driver is checked before they haul. And every load is tracked from pickup to delivery. That means fewer bad actors, less fraud risk, and more confidence that the loads you’re booking are legitimate.
Amazon Relay also gives your company free tools to run your business, including a load board with thousands of loads nationwide, 7-day payment with no factoring fees, and 24/7 support. You can search, book, track, and get paid all in one place.
Ready to get started? Sign up for Amazon Relay and start booking loads today.
Disclaimer: Amazon does not tender loads through any third-party load boards. Any Amazon loads posted on third-party load boards will only be tendered directly to approved and onboarded carriers via the Relay web portal or Relay mobile app. If you are interested in hauling loads for Amazon, sign up and book directly on relay.amazon.com. For more about our efforts against fraud and cargo theft, see our trusthworthy transportation page.
