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VOIP

Why is Voice Over IP (VOIP) Considered a High-Risk Factor for Motor Carriers?​

As of October 2024, 4.6% of current active Motor Carriers have a VOIP number listed on their FMCSA profile as the primary business phone number. There are three reasons why this is considered a high risk factor from a hiring standpoint:

  1. VOIP numbers can be easily obtained for any geographical location. It is difficult to determine if the person who owns the VOIP number is actually located in that geographical location.

  2. For DOT-only carriers; the prevalence of VOIP usage drops to 2.8%. Meaning there is a 64% higher usage of VOIP amongst interstate authority carriers. There is some uncertainty surrounding this discrepency. It's reasonable to expect these two populations to be more similar than they are.

  3. When researching companies reported publicly as double-brokers; a disproportionate number of them appear to be using VOIP phone lines. (On one of these lists, our team noted a >70% occurence)


I'm a Carrier That Uses VOIP - How can I Improve my score?​

Focus on other risk factors that can be used to help establish trust:

  • Have recent DOT inspections
  • Maintain a longer history of Operating Authority
  • Have a history of operating safely
  • Have a longer history of using the same contact information in other places (email, etc.)
Tip on Establishing Trust as a Carrier

If you're using VOIP, you might consider trying alternative ways of establishing trust when trying to get booked for a load. Such as providing pictures of equipment, additional ways of contacting you, etc.


Conclusion​

Just like the other Risk Factors, VOIP alone shouldn't be used to make a hiring determination. It simply means more caution is warranted. The purpose of any vetting tool is to help establish trust between two untrusted parties. With less info to go on, VOIP makes trust more difficult to establish.

For Carriers / Carrier Operation Teams​

Understand that by using VOIP lines, you can stand out against the 95.4% of other interstate carriers that aren't using VOIP. In our system it is still possible to be a low risk carrier (below 60% Risk Score) and use VOIP.

For Brokers / Shipping Managers:​

Understand that VOIP alone shouldn't be used to make a hiring determination. It simply means more caution is warranted.