Recently, there has been an increase in spam related to USDOT Biennial Updates and UCR services. These messages might ask for financial or personal information or offer discounted UCR rates with the intent to change your address, steal your DOT pin, and even your DOT#. Below are six key tips to help you quickly and easily spot and avoid USDOT and UCR spam.
How To Spot USDOT Biennial and UCR Updates Spam
- Check The Sender Of The Email or Text Message
If the ‘from’ email address is not a .gov email address and/or an email address you are not familiar with, do not engage with the email. Additionally, if you receive a text message from someone impersonating the FMCSA or law enforcement, be aware that they will never contact you via text.
- Reply To Email Address
If the ‘reply-to’ email address is different that the ‘from’ email address, this a red flag. Legitimate emails will have both the 'from' and 'reply-to' addresses ending in .gov.
- Stay Away From Discounted UCR Rates
The FMCSA will never discount their UCR rates. If you receive an offer for discounted rates, delete the message immediately.
- Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links
Spam messages may contain links to phishing sites or malware. Do not click on links or download attachments from unsolicited emails. For USDOT Biennial or UCR updates, visit the official website directly or contact your service provider through verified channels. Also, never share personal or financial information via email or text.
- Look for Spelling and Grammar Errors
Professional organizations usually maintain high standards in their communications. Emails with frequent spelling and grammar mistakes are a common sign of spam.
- Check for Urgent or Pressuring Language
Spam messages often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into making quick decisions. Phrases like "Act now!" or "Immediate action required!" are common in scams. Take your time to evaluate any message that uses this tactic and don’t let urgency cloud your judgment.
Stay Away From Scammers
If you are currently a customer with Aladdin, please do not reply to any email or text message regarding your USDOT Biennial and UCR update or request for confidential information that is not from us or an official government site.