Freight Fraud, Double Brokering & Getting Carriers Paid | Charles Soncrant on Trucker Talk Radio

In this episode of Behind the Wheelhouse on Trucker Talk Radio, Charles Soncrant, president of Kizer, Schwartz & Associates, joins Jon and Justin for a hard-hitting conversation about the one problem every carrier eventually faces: not getting paid. With nearly 15 years specializing exclusively in freight transportation law, Charles breaks down why unpaid freight receivables are an epidemic, how double brokering scams now account for 95 to 98 percent of his firm's caseload, and why the shippers and consignees are legally on the hook whether they want to admit it or not.Charles walks through exactly how double brokering scams operate, from the fake carrier that intercepts a load and pockets the payment to the real carrier left chasing an invoice that leads nowhere. He explains the legal framework that protects carriers, including shipper and consignee liability, the limits of broker-carrier agreements, and the dangerous precedents being set by attorneys who do not understand transportation law. He also warns carriers about a growing tactic: shippers and brokers burying waiver language in broker-carrier agreements and even on bills of lading, quietly stripping carriers of their right to payment before the truck ever leaves the dock.The conversation gets into practical, actionable advice for owner-operators and small carriers: know whose freight is on your truck, read every word of the broker-carrier agreement, never mail your original bill of lading, and act fast because the statute of limitations clock starts ticking the moment that invoice goes out. Charles also connects directly with Jon and Justin's work at Ready App, agreeing that driver identity verification is one of the most critical missing pieces in the fight against freight fraud, and offering a stark warning that AI-generated fake truck photos and sophisticated overseas fraud operations are already ahead of most industry solutions.Kizer, Schwartz & Associates operates on a risk-free collections model: if they do not recover the money, there are no fees. Carriers can reach the firm at kizerschwartz.com or by calling 662-470-1951, where a real person picks up every time.Chapters0:00 Intro0:13 Ready App Driver Verify Sponsor2:24 Welcome Charles Soncrant2:44 How Charles Got Into Transportation4:43 How Much Are Carriers Losing?6:50 Most Common Reasons Carriers Don't Get Paid10:55 How Bad Has Fraud Gotten?13:18 Double Brokering Explained16:03 Why Nobody Has Cracked the Code17:42 Bad Legal Precedents in Freight Law20:08 Supreme Court Broker Liability Ruling21:52 Credential Harvesting and Identity Theft23:29 Vicarious Liability and Broker Duty of Care25:01 Will the Industry Reform?27:05 Do Carriers Need a Lawyer on Retainer?28:44 3 Pieces of Legal Advice for Carriers32:08 Documentation and Paper Trails35:19 Owner-Operators Leased On: The Real Risk36:51 Ready App Driver Verify and the Verification Gap41:38 Where Fraud Is Headed in 5 to 10 Years42:30 One Thing Charles Would Change in Trucking45:02 Exempt Commodities and Insurance Gaps48:52 The 18-Month Statute of Limitations Warning50:17 How to Reach Kizer Schwartz and Associates51:40 OutroFollow Us!X: https://x.com/trucktalkradioIG: https://instagram.com/truckertalkradioTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@truckertalkradioFollow Charles SoncrantLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-soncrant-167362119/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kizer.schwartz/Website: https://www.kizer-schwartz.com/phone: 662-470-1951Powered by Ready AppThe driver-verification platform protecting brokers, carriers, and shippers from identity fraud, onboarding risks, and unsafe hires.Learn more at: https://ready-app.comSupport GreyCross.orgA 501(c)(3) supporting families affected by roadway tragedies across America.Donate at: https://greycross.org#truckertalkradio #behindthewheelhouse #truckingpodcast #freightfraud #doublebrokering #carrierprotection #truckinglaw #freightdebt #owneroperator #truckdriver #freightbroker #cdldriver #truckinglife #freightindustry #motorcargo #truckingnews #freightrecovery #kizerschwartz