Verifying the Driver: How VIN Validation Strengthens Load-Level Security

Why Carrier Validation Isn’t Enough Anymore

Cargo theft and carrier identity fraud is surging across North America, with fraudsters exploiting digital channels to infiltrate even the most trusted carrier networks. What used to be a matter of verifying carrier credentials has evolved into something far more urgent in confirming the actual driver and equipment assigned to the load. 

In today’s environment, verifying carriers is no longer sufficient. To truly protect freight, brokers and shippers must validate at the driver and vehicle level, ensuring the person behind the wheel and the truck hauling the freight are both legitimate. That’s why the vehicle identification number (VIN) Validation feature in Descartes MyCarrierPortal is being used by our customers to close the identity gap and stop fraud before it starts. 

From Carrier Fraud to Identity Fraud 

Cargo theft continues to rise, according to a report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB ); cargo theft will have risen by 22% at the end of 2025. In addition, theft is increasingly digital. Phishing schemes and impersonation scams are some of the leading enablers of cargo theft and fraud, with criminals infiltrating dispatch email accounts to book and steal loads. In some cases, brokers believe they’re working with long-standing, compliant carriers until high-value cargo vanishes shortly after pickup.  

The message is clear: traditional vetting processes aren’t enough. Carriers can appear fully compliant on paper while fraudsters exploit their identities to execute theft in the field. The next layer of defense is validating who is actually moving the load. 

VIN Validation: Closing the Identity Gap 

With Descartes MyCarrierPortal’s VIN Validation, shippers and brokers can confirm both the driver’s identity and the equipment authenticity in one automated process. Here’s how it works: 

• VIN Submission with Geolocation: Drivers submit a photo of the truck’s VIN, which is automatically geotagged and timestamped, verifying that the vehicle is at the expected pickup location. 

• Carrier-to-Equipment Matching: The system cross-references the VIN with registered carrier data, flagging mismatches that indicate unauthorized subcontracting or identity misuse. 

• Driver-Level Verification: Combined with contact information and credential checks, brokers gain end-to-end visibility into who is actually hauling the freight. 

• Automated Risk Alerts: If the VIN, carrier, or driver details don’t align, Descartes MyCarrierPortal automatically flags the load for review before dispatch. 

This process ensures that the driver, truck, and carrier identity all match before the freight leaves the yard. 

Real-World Results: Fraud Prevention in Action 

Brokers using Descartes MyCarrierPortal have already seen the benefits of tightening fraud controls through VIN-level verification. 
For example, Sims Global Solutions adopted the Descartes solution to strengthen their carrier onboarding and real-time verification process. The platform’s automation reduced manual workload while improving compliance confidence. As a Sims representative noted: 

“With Descartes MyCarrierPortal, we can validate not just who we’re hiring, but who’s actually showing up to move the freight.” 

This identity-level verification is helping leading 3PLs and brokers stop impersonation scams, prevent fraudulent load assignments, and reduce cargo theft risk, all while streamlining compliance workflows. 

Integrated with Descartes’ Visibility and Risk Ecosystem 

When paired with Descartes MacroPoint™ FraudGuard, VIN Validation extends protection throughout the shipment lifecycle. The identity and equipment are verified before dispatch, while Descartes MacroPoint monitors real-time tracking and behavioral anomalies such as route deviations, ping gaps, or suspicious stops during transit. 

Together, these solutions enable brokers to move from reactive response to proactive prevention, using automation and data intelligence to secure every stage of the shipment. 

The Bottom Line 

Freight fraud has evolved and your defenses must too. 
VIN Validation in Descartes MyCarrierPortal gives brokers and 3PLs a reliable, data-backed way to authenticate the driver, truck, and carrier behind every load. 

Benefits include: 

• Stopping carrier impersonation and double-brokering scams before pickup 

• Ensuring Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)-compliant, insured, and authorized carriers are actually hauling your freight 

• Reducing fraud losses with automated, real-time identity verification 

Modern freight security starts with knowing who’s really behind the wheel.