Road Scholar | Transport Blog's

  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a warning about a recent phishing scam targeting entities registered with the FMCSA.   The scam involves emails sent from addresses that appear to be official FMCSA addresses, such as safety@fmcsa.gov or filing@fmcsa.gov. These emails, however, are not legitimate.   The Scam Details The emails contain a PDF form resembling the official MCSA-5889 form but have been altered to request sensitive information, including Social Security Numbers (SSN) and USDOT Personal Identification Numbers (PIN).   The FMCSA has emphasized that they would never request such information on their forms.   Additionally, the emails often use threatening language, demanding a response within a day under the threat of fines.   FMCSA's Response The FMCSA advises recipients not to fill out the attached forms or respond to these emails.   Authentic communications from the FMCSA will either ask carrie...

  In 2023, the trucking industry saw the average marginal cost per mile climb to a record $2.27, according to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI).   This increase, though less than 1%, marks the continued financial pressure on the industry. Key Factors Behind Rising Costs 1.      Driver Wages : Driver wages rose by 7.6%, a moderation compared to the previous year's 15.5% surge.   Safety bonuses averaged $1,831, surpassing starting bonuses for the first time. 2.      Insurance Premiums : Premium expenses increased by 12.5%, driven by higher equipment costs, litigation risks, and inflation. 3.      Equipment Payments : Payments for trucks and trailers rose by 8.8%, reflecting the higher costs of acquiring and maintaining equipment. 4.      Fuel Costs : Fuel costs decreased from 64 cents per mile to 55 cents, offering some relief.   However, excluding fuel, the ...

  New data from CargoNet's 2024 Second Quarter Supply Chain Risk Trends Analysis shows a slight decline in cargo theft, with 771 thefts reported, a 10% decrease from the first quarter.   Despite this, thefts are still 33% higher than the same period last year, with losses estimated at $68.5 million.   Notably, thefts of vitamins, supplements, alcoholic beverages, and skincare products increased. Cargo theft remains concentrated in California, Illinois, and Texas, which accounted for 57% of incidents.   Legislative efforts are underway to address this, including the introduction of the Safeguarding our Supply Chains Act by California Rep. David G. Valadao.   The bill aims to establish a Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on supply chain fraud and theft. Organized cargo theft rings in Southern California are a significant threat, and theft by deception schemes are on the rise across the U.S. CargoNet p...