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CarrierKYC

For owner-operators

Why your factoring company verifies your identity and bank account

If your factoring company sent you a link asking for a photo of your ID, a selfie and a bank-account check, this page explains why. CarrierKYC builds that check for factoring companies; we sell to factors, not carriers. But the check exists to protect your money as much as theirs.

Fraudsters don't only invent fake carriers. They impersonate real ones, often by taking over an email account or an FMCSA login, and then ask the factor to send the carrier's payments to a new account. A factor that verifies who you are and who owns your bank account makes that much harder.

What we hear, and what helps

  1. 01

    “Why does my factor need a selfie? They already have my paperwork.”

    Paperwork can be stolen or copied. A selfie matched to your ID, and your name matched to the officers on your FMCSA record, shows the person applying is actually you.

  2. 02

    “I'm worried someone could redirect my payments.”

    That's the attack these checks stop. When a factor re-verifies every bank change with the verified officer (you) before the next payment, an impostor's email isn't enough to move your money.

  3. 03

    “Why was my payment held after I changed banks?”

    A new bank account is exactly what a hijacker would ask for, so a careful factor pauses payment until the change is confirmed. Complete the re-verification your factor sends, and expect a call-back on the number they already have.

  4. 04

    “What am I actually paying for factoring?”

    Put your rate, advance, reserve and days-to-pay into the free factoring cost calculator to see your cost per load and effective APR. Then read freight factoring rates.

Why factors are tightening identity checks

In 2026, FMCSA's Motus registration system added Login.gov identity verification for registrants. That helps against fake new companies. Our read is that it pushes fraudsters further toward taking over established carriers. Common methods are phishing for USDOT PINs or logins, taking over email, and calling a factor or broker while posing as the owner. Our guide to carrier identity theft explains how these attacks work.

Protect your own accounts

  • Turn on two-factor sign-in for your email, and keep your Login.gov sign-in methods to yourself.
  • Never give a USDOT PIN, password or sign-in code to anyone who calls or emails you, even if they say they're FMCSA or your factor.
  • Keep your phone, email and officer details current with FMCSA, so call-backs reach you.
  • Tell your factor about bank changes yourself, and expect them to call you back to confirm.
  • Never send your bank password by email, text or phone. Ask your factor how its bank check works.
  • Check your own record now and then with the free carrier risk check for changes you didn't make.

Understand your factoring deal

Factoring terms vary a lot. Read what non-recourse factoring doesn't cover and advance rate and reserve before you sign, and model the real cost with the factoring cost calculator.

Free tools for owner-operators

Frequently asked questions

Can I sign up for CarrierKYC myself?

No. Verified Payee is sold to factoring companies, and your factor sends you the link. The free tools on this site are open to you.

Who should complete the identity check?

An owner or officer whose name is on your FMCSA record. The check matches the person to those records, so a dispatcher or outside service usually won't match.

Is it safe to verify my bank account with my factor?

A bank-ownership check confirms the account holder's name matches your company's legal name. Never share your bank password with a person, and ask your factor how its check is done if you're unsure.

What should I do if I think someone is impersonating my company?

Tell your factor and the brokers you work with right away, secure your email and Login.gov accounts, and check your FMCSA contact details for changes. The carrier identity theft guide covers the next steps.

For factoring companies

Stop paying the wrong account.

CarrierKYC verifies that the person onboarding controls the carrier and that the bank account belongs to it, then re-verifies every remit-to change before the next ACH. Free 60-day pilot for small factors.

Request a pilotSee the 2-minute demo

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The Freight Identity Risk Report

New authorities, revocations, insurance cancellations, and shared-contact clusters from FMCSA data, every month. One email. Unsubscribe in one click.