WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at stopping companies from misleading truckers into paying for USDOT and FMCSA-related services that are already available for free.
The Stop Scamming Truckers Act was introduced this week by Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington and Rep. Dave Taylor of Ohio. The bill responds to complaints from truck drivers and small carriers who said they received misleading letters that looked like official government notices.
Bill Would Require Clear Disclosures
If passed, the bill would require any private company sending correspondence about USDOT numbers to clearly state that it is not affiliated with the federal government.
The required disclosure would read: “This communication is from a private company. We are not the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Department of Transportation, or any other Federal Government Agency, and we are not affiliated with the United States Government.”
For written communication, the disclosure would have to appear in at least 12-point font. For electronic messages, it would have to match the main body text size. The notice would also need to appear on the first page or, in digital communication, be visible without scrolling.
The bill would also bar companies from using names, seals, logos, insignias, or trade dress that could reasonably make a trucker believe the message came from the Department of Transportation.
Truckers Could Sue Over Violations
The legislation would create a private right of action, allowing anyone who receives a communication that violates the act to file a civil lawsuit in U.S. district court.
Damages could include actual damages, plus statutory damages of at least $500 and up to $5,000.
Gluesenkamp Perez said the issue was raised by truckers who received letters designed to look official and pressure them into paying to avoid government problems.
“There is no end to the rage and confusion that comes with receiving scam letters that falsely purport to be from the federal government,” Gluesenkamp Perez said. “When DOT licenses are the subject of these scams, it torches public goodwill towards federal agencies. This is a critical issue that disproportionately affects small businesses and it’s time to see some action taken.”
Taylor said small trucking businesses are often the hardest hit by these schemes.
“Trucking companies already face enough challenges without being targeted by scammers looking to make a quick buck,” Taylor said. “With 97% of trucks on the road operated by small businesses, family-owned companies are too often the ones hit hardest by these schemes.”
Trucking Groups Support the Measure
The bill has drawn support from trucking advocates, including the American Trucking Associations and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.
ATA Senior Vice President for Legislative Affairs Alex Rosen said truckers work with USDOT and FMCSA daily to maintain safety and compliance, but scammers exploit that relationship by posing as government agencies and selling unnecessary services.
“ATA strongly supports the Stop Scamming Truckers Act, which would help put an end to these deceptive and aggressive tactics,” Rosen said.
OOIDA President Todd Spencer said too many drivers have been misled into paying hundreds of dollars for registration services they could complete themselves.
“Truckers are the backbone of the American economy, working hard every day to comply with countless federal regulations while operating at the safest levels,” Spencer said. “They shouldn’t have to waste time and money dodging scammers.”
Gluesenkamp Perez recently raised the issue during a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing. Supporters say the bill is intended to help truckers stay focused on freight movement, compliance, and safety without being targeted by fake government-style notices.
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