FMCSA updated its fraud alert page on August 14 with a warning to motor carriers regarding its new Motus registration system: be wary of fraudsters.
Since Motus launched in May, bad actors have capitalized on confusion about the new system by impersonating FMCSA and sending official-looking emails to motor carriers. These emails are often urgent, prompting carriers to act immediately to set up their carrier account or fix supposed errors that occurred during registration, such as a “synchronization discrepancy” that allegedly blocks the process.
The scam is particularly convincing because the real Motus system does require carriers to verify their identity and connect their account to an existing USDOT record. Fraudsters are mimicking that legitimate process with fake messages and links designed to look like part of the registration process.
How to Spot Bogus Motus Websites and Emails
The official FMCSA notice currently identifies two bogus Motus URLs to avoid:
- Fraudulent website URL: dot.motusdatasboard.com
- Fraudulent website URL: dot.motusdatadesk.com
- Real Motus URL: https://motus.dot.gov
Scammers can create new domains and sender addresses quickly, so carriers shouldn’t rely solely on a published list. Instead, there is one key thing to look for: the actual domain.
A site such as “dot.motusdatasboard.com” may contain official-sounding terms such as “dot” and “motus,” but the actual domain ends in “.com,” not “.gov.” The legitimate Motus application is located at motus.dot.gov.
Email addresses work much the same way. FMCSA’s broader fraud alert page includes examples such as notify@dotgov.info and info@dotdataportal.pro, which are designed to look official but are not FMCSA email addresses.
Official FMCSA correspondence almost always comes from a “.gov” email address. FMCSA notes limited exceptions, such as customer satisfaction surveys following contact with the agency, but those messages will not ask for personal, payment, or account information.
Be Wary of Unsolicited “Action Required” Messages
Although you’ve likely received official FMCSA correspondence about Motus, legitimate communication should not be confused with an unsolicited message demanding immediate action, payment, or sensitive information.
Routine registration updates and renewals are initiated by the carrier. FMCSA will never initiate contact asking you to submit payment or sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, or credit card details.
And don’t assume an email is legitimate simply because it includes your company name, DOT number, address, or other accurate information. Much of that information is publicly available, making it easy for both legitimate third parties and scammers to personalize their messages.
If you receive an email about Motus and aren’t sure where it’s coming from, first check the sender’s email address. Second, hover over the links to see the URL they point to. Better yet, rather than clicking a link in an unsolicited email, type motus.dot.gov directly into your browser.
Get Help From a Reputable Source
Not everyone offering Motus assistance is a bad apple, but it’s important to do your research before sharing your company details or credit card information. If you have questions about setting up your Motus account or are worried you made a mistake, the FMCSA has a help center that can assist you.
If you’ve already clicked a suspicious link or entered account information, stop using the link and contact the FMCSA Contact Center at 1-800-832-5660. If you entered Login.gov credentials, review your account activity and change your password immediately if you see anything you don’t recognize.
You can also work with a company such as US Compliance Services that has a proven track record of working with motor carriers on compliance issues. Our Motus Maintenance Program was established to help carriers with common questions and account setup issues and ensure the process is done correctly the first time. The carrier’s authorized Company Official must complete the required identity verification and initial account setup, but our team can guide you through the process. We can then handle account maintenance going forward to ensure registrations and account updates are completed in a timely manner.
US Compliance Services is a private, independent compliance company and is not affiliated with FMCSA, USDOT, or any other government agency. You will never receive an email communication from us that suggests otherwise.
If you have any questions about Motus or an email you’ve received, our team is here to help. Contact us or call (877) 352-1996 to speak with a compliance specialist.
