New Authority. Getting solicited with 20+ calls a day

Not a bad idea, but DOT needs to be able to get a hold of you.

 

Not only that, but brokers will look at your listed number on SAFER to vet you and make sure that you are calling from that phone number. If you call from a different number, they will get suspicious.

 

It doesn’t sound like you have your own authority and maybe shouldn’t give advise like turning off a phone that is connected to your fmcsa report.Now having a separate phone number and email isn’t a bad idea.1st all your information on your fmcsa has to be current 2nd no broker will load you without being able to contact you directly with the number on your fmcsa do to fraud or double brokerage.Being contacted by individuals trying to sell you something is just part of business and you have to learn how to deal with that.Yes it can be aggravating.Sometimes it can be beneficial in my case I first got my athority in 2011 a insurance company(Daily Underwriting )called me it was a company I wouldn’t have called for a quote in all likelihood and saved me a lot of money.Now there’s most likely a lot more scams out there now. But sometimes in my case it was beneficial to me.basically me I will advise don’t answer emails you didn’t start a phone call I just answer not interested and go on with my day. I personally have found the longer you’re in business the phone calls trying to sell you stuff lesson .The emails stay about the same

 

I had 2 phones and several 2 emails and it was never an issue...but I only booked loads from home base......so the few times the question arose I told the broker/shipper to feel free to call me on the other number and I would pull it out of the drawer and answer it. Bam done.

Ridge didn't say to ditch the line entirely....he said, "turn off the phone"!

 

There is no need for a phone call, they will send you letters.

 

Dot Compliance group is the worst. They send threatening letter all the time, including the amount you’ll be fined if you don’t comply.

Then in small print at bottom say they’re not affiliated with the government and are just trying to get your business.
Gotta read the fine print. I just threw another away last week or I’d show it.


I found one online.
Example;

it’s just a scam.

 

Actually, I received a phone call from my state regarding an IFTA audit. So if did what you suggested I would never have received a phone call. They also called me again after the audit was completed. While I don't think is a bad idea to have a secondary phone number for your authority, shutting it off is not a good idea. Also broker call the number listed on your authority to verify that you are actually the motor carrier.

 

Yep, that happens, and when they don't get a response, they send a letter.

I said turn the phone off, I didn't say NOT to check the VM. With most phone plans, you can do this remotely.

The reason to turn the phone off is not to waste time by keep answering the phone for every ***** POS solicitor.

If the FMCSA/State needs something from you, they will send you a letter just like the IRS.

Just so you all understand something, these agencies do not have enough labor to call people all the time; their systems are set up to send out batches of letters when the account is flagged. They may send out a few thousand letters in one day, and not call anyone. A lot of this has moved to websites and emails, but snail mail is still the backup.

 

Unless I missed it, you made it sound like shut the phone off for good.
On a side note, I don't answer any calls from numbers in don't recognize. If it is important they can leave me a message.