Alert warns that scammers are targeting CDL drivers through FMCSA systems including the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse
An alert is warning CDL drivers that scammers are targeting them by using or impersonating FMCSA systems, including the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. The warning highlights that bad actors may try to use these federal systems as a hook to gain access to a driver’s information or money.
For drivers, the concern is straightforward: anything tied to FMCSA and the Clearinghouse carries real weight, and a message that appears “official” can pressure someone to respond quickly. The alert is a reminder to treat unexpected contact connected to FMCSA systems with caution, especially if it involves credentials, personal details, or payment.
The Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse plays a major role in a driver’s ability to work. It’s the federal database used to track certain drug and alcohol program violations and return-to-duty status for CDL holders. Because it affects employment, scams that reference the Clearinghouse can feel urgent and disruptive, even when the contact is not legitimate.
The broader context is that as more driver-related processes move online, scams increasingly rely on familiar agency names and system titles to look credible. The alert underscores the need for drivers to recognize that “FMCSA” branding or references to the Clearinghouse do not automatically mean a message is real.
Key takeaway for drivers: the warning is not about a change to the Clearinghouse itself, but about scammers attempting to exploit the system’s name and importance to trick CDL holders.