Short answer
Amazon tenders loads only to approved carriers on the Relay portal or app, never through third-party load boards, so an "Amazon load" offered anywhere else wasn't tendered by Amazon. Report suspicious activity to relay-network-reports@amazon.com. In an emergency, call 911.
What kinds of fraud hit Amazon Relay carriers?
Amazon's pages cover four: double brokering, geospoofing, account takeover and cargo theft. Each one can cost an honest carrier money or loads, even if that carrier did nothing wrong.
Does Amazon allow double brokering?
No. Amazon's double brokering post says: "Amazon doesn't allow double brokering because it can lead to payment and safety issues."
Brokering in general isn't the problem. The same post notes "nothing about double brokering is inherently illegal if done right," and says brokers need FMCSA property broker authority and a bond. For Amazon freight, the rule is narrow: "Only businesses with express, written authorization directly from Amazon are allowed to broker Amazon loads."
Carriers can't pass Amazon loads along either. Amazon's secure freight page says carriers can't re-tender loads through unauthorized subcontracting.
Here's the risk for the carrier who hauls a double-brokered load: "the fraudster cuts off communication with the hauling carrier and they never get paid for their work."
Amazon doesn't publish its list of authorized brokers.
Where brokers fit with Relay overall is in can brokers use Amazon Relay.
Are Amazon loads on other load boards real?
Not as Amazon tenders. The Relay FAQ says: "Amazon does not tender loads through any third-party load boards." The double brokering post adds: "We directly tender all of our loads to Relay carriers on the Relay portal only."
If you also work other boards, Amazon repeats FMCSA's red flags:
- Confirm brokers' and carriers' phone numbers using SAFER, and check insurance documents and BOLs.
- Watch for carriers with P.O. box addresses or recently activated authority, and carriers who won't share a driver phone number or tracking.
- Stop if you're asked to present yourself under a different name or told it's a "blind load."
- Stop if a broker is quick to agree to pay you more, or the rate "far exceeds the current market rate."
Our Amazon Relay vs DAT guide compares how the two boards handle this.
What is geospoofing on Amazon Relay?
Amazon's geospoofing post says fraudsters "manipulate Global Positioning System location data to make it appear they're hauling loads they've actually stolen."
It hurts carriers who play it straight: "When fraudsters book loads they never intend to haul, those routes become unavailable to legitimate carriers."
The penalty is heavy. Amazon lists "immediate account termination, a permanent ban from Amazon Relay, referral to law enforcement" for anyone caught.
Amazon's warning: "Be cautious of anyone asking you to use fake GPS location tools, spoof geolocation, or deliver their loads." It also says: "Review your invoices to make sure they match loads your company actually hauled." Our payments guide shows where invoices live.
Amazon doesn't publish how it detects geospoofing.
How do scammers take over Relay accounts?
Often through fake emails. Amazon's email scams post says that if you open the links in these emails and enter login info, the scammer can get into your account. Once inside, scammers "add unauthorized drivers, and book loads they intend to steal." It's hard to notice because "They often don't change passwords or bank details."
Warning signs and rules from Amazon:
- Watch for buyers. A red flag is "Unsolicited offers to buy your business or manage your loads."
- Don't sell your account. "Never transfer or sell your account to someone you don't know." Ownership changes go to relay-ownership-transfers@amazon.com at least 30 days ahead.
- Keep your login to yourself. "Don't share your login information with anyone. Amazon Relay will never request that you share this information."
Our Relay login guide covers fake login pages, email security and what to check in your account. Amazon also says carrier identity verification "helps protect carriers from account fraud and unauthorized access." Driver checks are in our background check guide.
Buying or selling a carrier? See Amazon Relay business for sale.
How do you protect a Relay load from cargo theft?
Amazon's cargo theft post says "Across North America, cargo theft is up 300%, with annual losses now over $20 billion each year." Amazon doesn't give a source for that figure.
It names three types: intrusion (seal tampering), deception (impersonating authority, redirecting drivers, spoofed caller ID, blocking communication) and hijacking.
Two rules from Amazon help against deception:
- Amazon won't reroute you by phone. "Amazon will never call or email you to re-route freight or change a delivery address." Changes from Amazon show in the app: "the most up-to-date load information will immediately be in the Relay driver app."
- Check the seal. Seal numbers must match the BOL, and "any mismatches can indicate load tampering."
If a theft happens, Amazon lists these steps:
- "For any emergency situation, including an active theft incident, call 911." Police may ask for the driver's name, truck and trailer plates, a vehicle description, the location, the incident type and whether anyone needs medical help.
- Onboarded carriers "can also notify Amazon through Click to Call."
- Drivers "must request a callback from our support team as soon as they can safely do so."
- Carriers "must also report loss prevention issues in the Relay support center with relevant documentation, such as a police report."
Our Relay disputes guide covers reporting cargo loss.
What does Amazon do to stop fraud?
Amazon's secure freight page lists:
- Telematics signals on its trailers to follow each load's progress
- "tamper detection and automated alerts if trailer doors are opened during transit"
- "Validating load pickup and drop-off with virtual geofences"
- "driver's license validation and real-time photo verification"
The page also lists enforcement cases. One is a wire fraud guilty plea for "stealing carrier identities and submitting fraudulent invoices." Another is an organized crime case with "13 arrests."
For what a dispatcher can see on a load, see our dispatcher guide.
How do you report Amazon Relay fraud?
Email relay-network-reports@amazon.com "with a detailed description of the suspicious activity, including the DOT #s involved (if known)." Amazon's secure freight page says carriers and drivers can also report suspicious activity any time by contacting the operations center. The FAQ says the Relay Operations Center gives 24/7 support and "can be reached through the Relay portal or Relay mobile." It also says "You'll receive an automated email confirming receipt."
Amazon also tells fraud victims to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and with local law enforcement.
Amazon doesn't publish a fraud phone number. relay.amazon.com publishes no phone number for Relay support or fraud, so treat any number you find elsewhere with caution. Our Relay contact guide lists every route Amazon publishes.
What doesn't Amazon publish about fraud?
- A fraud department phone number
- How long an investigation takes
- Whether a carrier whose account was taken over is paid or charged for fraudulent loads
- The Click to Call number
- The list of authorized brokers
- A "theft prevention alert" for carriers
- How geospoofing is detected
Where does NudoIQ fit?
NudoIQ is an independent Chrome extension for the Relay load board, not affiliated with Amazon. It shows net profit and lane price history on each load. It's free for 7 days with no card needed to start, then $49.99 a month.