‘Chameleon broker?’: Big broker AGX goes bust, doesn’t pay carriers, starts new MC
Reports from carriers indicate that broker AGX has gone out of business with unpaid freight bills still outstanding. Drivers and small fleets say they hauled loads under AGX, delivered as scheduled, and then did not receive payment.
At the same time, carriers are flagging what they describe as a “chameleon” move: AGX is said to have started operating under a new motor carrier (MC) number after the collapse. In trucking, swapping to a new MC number can make it harder for carriers to quickly connect a company’s current operation with its past payment history and complaints.
Why it matters for drivers
When a broker fails to pay, the carrier often eats the loss. Fuel, tolls, insurance, payroll, and maintenance don’t stop just because a broker’s checks do. For many owner-operators and small fleets, even a handful of unpaid loads can turn into a serious cash-flow problem.
Broader context
Broker and carrier identity in the freight market is commonly tracked by MC numbers. Carriers use that information to evaluate who they’re doing business with, including looking at credit and payment reports and checking basic authority details. When a business reappears under a new MC number, it can disrupt that due diligence process and raise questions about accountability for prior unpaid claims.
What carriers are watching for
- Unpaid invoices tied to AGX’s prior operation
- Any continuity between AGX and a new MC number (same contacts, addresses, or operating practices)
- Whether loads are being offered under a new identity while old obligations remain unresolved
The situation is a reminder of how quickly financial risk can shift onto the carrier side when a broker’s operation shuts down, and how changes to authority identifiers can complicate efforts to track payment history.