Gluesenkamp Perez bill to target truck scammers

May 15-Last week, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and Rep. Dave Taylor, R-Ohio, introduced legislation that's intended to help bring an end to scammers who take advantage of truckers by scaring them into paying money for federal services that are actually free, according to a news release.

"There is no end to the rage and confusion that comes with receiving scam letters that falsely purport to be from the federal government," Gluesenkamp Perez said in the release. "When Department of Transportation licenses are the subject of these scams, it torches public goodwill towards federal agencies. This is a critical issue that disproportionately affects small businesses and it's time to see some action taken."

The issue grew out of concerns raised with the congresswoman by truckers, who pointed to misleading letters trying to scare them into paying to avoid government hassles. The letters frequently mimic official documents from federal agencies but in reality are often sent by scammers, the release stated.

These services for simple renewals or registrations end up costing truckers wasted time and money, the congresswoman said. Gluesenkamp Perez raised the issue recently during a congressional hearing in the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The Stop Scamming Truckers Act would:

-Require that any company that transmits correspondence about USDOT numbers must include a disclosure that reads: "This communication is from a private company. We are not the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Department of Transportation, or any other Federal Government Agency, and we are not affiliated with the United States Government."

-The font must be at least 12-point font in written communication, and the predominant font size used in the body text of the communication for electronic communication.

-The disclosure has to appear on the first page or without the need to scroll if the communication is digital.

-The bill also clarifies that a company cannot use a name, seal, logo, insignia or trade dress that would reasonably imply affiliation with the Department of Transportation.

For enforcement, the bill creates a private right of action - any person who receives a communication that violates the act may bring a civil action in a U.S. district court. Damages can include actual damages, statutory damages of at least $500 and up to $5,000.

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