LoginFMCSA Warns of Fraudulent Emails Targeting Motor Carrier Registrations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is warning motor carriers about fraudulent emails and websites impersonating its Motus registration system, with the National School Transportation Association reporting that school bus contractors are among those being targeted.
NSTA alerted members Friday that several school bus contractors around the country have received emails falsely claiming to originate from FMCSA’s Motus, which is Latin for movement or progress. The phishing messages attempt to pressure recipients into providing confidential information by warning that their registration or ability to operate could be shut down unless they act immediately.
FMCSA said bad actors have begun creating websites designed to imitate Motus. The legitimate Motus website is hosted on the federal government’s DOT.gov domain. FMCSA identified several fraudulent addresses using variations of the Motus name, including sites with “motusdatasboard,” “motusdatadesk,” “motuswebdeck” and “motusfunction” in their domain names.
The agency said customers have received emails with the subject line “Notice of Required Off-Cycle Update- Motus email” directing them to what is described as a “New MOTUS Portal.” FMCSA noted that Motus is not an acronym and should not be presented in all capital letters, another possible warning sign that a message or website is fraudulent.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted can also contact FMCSA through its Contact Center. The agency’s fraud-alert page provides additional examples of fraudulent messages and websites as well as information on reporting suspected scams.
School Bus Contractors React to Suspicious Emails
NSTA said the fraudulent communications reported by school bus contractors similarly seek confidential information while creating a sense of urgency. The association advised members to verify emails and website addresses before entering sensitive, proprietary or account information.
The warning comes as motor carriers and other regulated entities transition to Motus, which FMCSA launched this year to replace several older registration systems. The platform is designed to allow companies to apply for and manage USDOT registrations while providing stronger identity verification and fraud-prevention protections.
That transition provides an opening for scammers attempting to take advantage of operators who are still becoming familiar with the new system.
FMCSA’s fraud alert page advises users not to click suspicious links contained in unsolicited emails. Instead, recipients should hover over links to examine the actual destination and only follow links they know to be trustworthy. The agency also recommends reporting suspicious communications to the Federal Trade Commission and, when appropriate, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, local law enforcement or a state attorney general’s office.
FMCSA maintains a broader list of registration-related scams involving fake audit requests, fraudulent carrier-status notices, spoofed government websites and emails impersonating the agency’s Safety and Fitness Electronic Records, or SAFER, system.
NSTA urged school bus contractors to be particularly cautious with unsolicited requests for account credentials, payments, sensitive company information or proprietary data. The association said it shared at least one reported example with FMCSA and was seeking additional guidance from the agency.
Article written with the assistance of AI.
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