In response to the alarming rise in fraudulent activities within the transportation sector in recent years, the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) today announced the establishment of the TIA Fraud Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of industry-leading executives within the third-party logistics industry and leading technology companies that are focused on tech-driven solutions to combat fraud.

TIA is the premier organization for third-party logistics professionals, and its members serve as the center of the supply chain in the facilitation of freight globally and throughout the United States. The association has long been at the forefront of education and advocacy efforts in the fight against fraud in the transportation supply chain. As reported recently by several prominent news outlets, the level of transportation fraud continues to climb, resulting in estimated costs of approximately $1 billion to trucking companies, shippers, freight brokers, and ultimately consumers.

“TIA is excited to unveil our internal Fraud Task Force, which will examine the latest marketplace trends, develop strategies to address fraud internally within brokerage operations, and work on legislative and regulatory solutions in the short, medium, and long term,” stated Anne Reinke, TIA President & CEO. “We hear from our members on a daily basis about rampant fraudulent activity within the industry. As an organization that recognized the imminent fraud crisis with the enactment of the Fighting Fraud in Transportation Act in 2012, which was incorporated into the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), we want to continue to be a leading voice on the subject.”

To address this issue, TIA has collaborated with carrier organizations to elevate the matter on Capitol Hill and has engaged with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the federal agency responsible for managing complaints about fraudulent companies. To that end, Senator Braun (R-IN) and Congressman Bost (R-IL) recently sent a letter to the FMCSA Administrator and the Department of Transportation Inspector General’s office imploring the agency to establish a Task Force to oversee this issue of fraud and address the thousands of complaints currently lodged with the federal agency. We appreciate the efforts of Senator Braun, Congressman Bost, and the other signatories of this important letter.

As the Association attacks this issue on several different verticals, TIA continues to keep members abreast of the latest fraudulent activities and trends. TIA has disseminated industry best practices and the most up-to-date information to assist members in combatting fraud.

The Task Force will convene regularly to fulfill its mission and goals, which include reducing fraudulent activities in the marketplace and actively engaging the FMCSA to address these concerns. At present, the Agency’s response has been minimal, necessitating urgent action.