Motus Scam: How to Spot Fake FMCSA Registration Sites
By iAgency
If you run a trucking company, you may have seen an email that says your carrier profile needs an urgent update in Motus. Be careful. FMCSA has confirmed that scammers are copying its new Motus registration portal to steal logins from motor carriers. One click can put your USDOT registration, your loads, and your reputation with brokers at risk. Here is what is going on and what to do about it.
Key takeaways
Only one real site: The official Motus portal is motus.dot.gov. Anything ending in .com is fake.
Watch the subject line: The scam email reads "Notice of Required Off-Cycle Update- Motus email."
Do not click, type it in: Go to motus.dot.gov directly instead of using any link in an email.
Act fast if you clicked: Change your Login.gov password, check your registration record, and call FMCSA.
What FMCSA is warning carriers about
FMCSA launched Motus on May 19, 2026 as its new USDOT registration system. Carriers sign in through Login.gov to manage their registration. New systems create confusion, and scammers know it.
In its fraud alert, FMCSA says "bad actors have started to impersonate the Motus" web application. The phishing email claims your profile needs an off-cycle update and sends you to a "New MOTUS Portal." FMCSA points out that the real system is spelled "Motus," not in all capital letters. That small detail is a useful red flag.
FreightWaves reported four fake domains. FMCSA's own fraud alert page lists five:
dot.motuswebresources.com
dot.motusdatasboard.com
dot.motusdatadesk.com
dot.motuswebdeck.com
dot.motusfunction.com
All of them end in .com. The real portal, motus.dot.gov, is a government .gov address. New fake addresses can appear at any time, so do not treat this list as complete.
Why this matters for your insurance and your loads
Your USDOT registration is how brokers and shippers check who you are. If a scammer gets into your account, they may be able to change your contact details and pose as your company. That opens the door to carrier identity theft, double brokering, and stolen freight booked in your name.
The cleanup can be painful. Brokers may hold payments or stop tendering loads while they sort out who is real. Your insurance filings and certificates are tied to your USDOT number, so a hijacked record can also confuse brokers who check your coverage. Keep your certificate holders current, and if you need a fresh certificate fast, see our guide on how to get your COI.
It is also worth a coverage conversation. Commercial truck insurance and cargo coverage are built for accidents and freight loss. They are not designed for stolen passwords or money lost to a phishing email. Ask your agent what, if anything, in your program responds to fraud, and read the exclusions before you assume you are covered.
Five steps to protect your carrier registration
Bookmark motus.dot.gov. Use only the bookmark or type the address yourself. Never sign in from an email link.
Hover before you click. FMCSA advises hovering over a link to see the real web address before you trust it.
Lock down Login.gov. Use a strong, unique password and turn on multi-factor sign-in.
Limit who has access. Know which office staff, dispatchers, or outside services can sign in for your company.
Check your record often. Confirm your phone, email, and address on file have not changed without your approval.
New carriers are an easy target because they expect a lot of FMCSA paperwork. If you just got your authority, read our breakdown of insurance costs for a new authority and keep every registration step inside motus.dot.gov.
What to do if you already clicked
Do not wait. Change your Login.gov password right away, then sign in at motus.dot.gov and check your registration details. Call the FMCSA Contact Center at 1-800-832-5660. Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. Then call your insurance agent so they can watch for odd certificate requests or filing changes on your account.
Want a second set of eyes on your coverage? Start a quote online or call us. We can review your program in about 15 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Does FMCSA ever email me to update my Motus profile?
FMCSA does contact carriers, but you should never act on a link in an email. Go to motus.dot.gov yourself and check for any notices there. If you are unsure, call FMCSA at 1-800-832-5660.
Will I lose my USDOT number if I miss a biennial update right now?
FreightWaves reported that on September 10, 2026, FMCSA temporarily paused biennial update enforcement during the Motus transition. Check motus.dot.gov or call FMCSA for your own status. Do not trust an email that says otherwise.
How can I tell a fake Motus site from the real one?
Look at the end of the address. The real site ends in .gov. Every fake site FMCSA has listed ends in .com. The scam email also writes the name as MOTUS in all capital letters.
Will my insurance cover losses from a phishing scam?
It depends on your policy. Most trucking policies focus on accidents and cargo, not stolen logins. Ask your agent to review your coverage and exclusions.
Source: FreightWaves, FMCSA warns trucking companies about 4 fake Motus registration sites (September 15, 2026). Also see the FMCSA Fraud Alerts page.
About iAgency
iAgency LLC is a commercial trucking insurance agency for owner-operators, small fleets, and the dispatchers, factoring companies, and accountants who support them. Call or text 469-501-1071. For certificates, email coi@iagency.biz. Ready to compare options? Get an online quote.
This article is general information, not coverage or legal advice. Coverage depends on your policy terms.