A release or appointment identifier used by a shipper to release freight. In a freight fraud review, use this term as a record label rather than as a conclusion about a company or person.
Records can be outdated, spoofed, or changed after a check. Recheck official FMCSA, insurance, bond, and legal records before booking or tendering freight.
Why it matters
Cargo-theft terms matter because custody, release, seal, route, and reporting details can become time-sensitive evidence.
Common confusion
The common mistake is treating this term as a final answer. In practice, it should point to a record, a date, and a verification step.
Example in a freight transaction
A driver presents the correct pickup number, but the carrier named on the load denies assigning that driver.
What this term does not prove
A pickup number proves a reference was obtained; it does not prove pickup authorization.
Desk check
- Confirm driver and equipment with carrier management.
- Keep pickup-number source notes.
- Delay release when identity cannot be reconciled.
Records to compare
- Pickup authorization, driver identity, truck, trailer, seal, route, and tracking records.
- BOL, delivery confirmation, exception notes, and last-known-location documentation.
- Law-enforcement, insurer, shipper, carrier, or IC3 records when the incident requires escalation.
Official source context
For this term, start with Broker and Carrier Fraud and Identity Theft from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Use it as a source context point, then check the live official page for current wording or status before acting.
Related terms
Source References
- Broker and Carrier Fraud and Identity Theft Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. primary source. Last checked 2026-06-01. FMCSA guidance on broker and carrier fraud, unauthorized USDOT use, suspicious links, SAFER phone comparison, NCCDB, OIG, FTC, and IC3 reporting pointers.
- Licensing & Insurance Public Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. primary source. Last checked 2026-06-02. Official public portal for authority, insurance, and broker financial responsibility records.