Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

FTC Returns Additional Money to Carriers Allegedly Defrauded by DOTAuthority.com

The Federal Trade Commission is sending checks totally $757,946 to 14,948 small business that were tricked into using DOTAuthority.com’s registration services with advertising and practices that were deemed deceptive.

August 21, 2019
FTC Returns Additional Money to Carriers Allegedly Defrauded by DOTAuthority.com

 

2 min to read


The Federal Trade Commission is sending checks totally $757,946 to 14,948 small business that were allegedly tricked into using DOTAuthority.com’s registration services with advertising and practices that were deemed deceptive.

While the number seems large, the average refund will be just over $50 per check. DOTAuthority was accused of sending misleading messages to thousands of small business that implied that the company was affiliated with government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Transportation and Unified Carrier Registration system, according to the FTC’s October 2016 complaint.

Ad Loading...

Using official-sounding names and threats of law enforcement action, the business were coerced into using DOTAuthority’s registration services which included hidden or inadequately disclosed fees that ranged from $25 to $500 or more. Some fleets alleged that they were unwittingly enrolled in an annual renewal program without knowledge or consent.

DOTAuthority agreed to a settlement with the FTC over the charges that banned the company from the illegal conduct alleged in the complaint and imposed a $900,000 monetary judgement. The FTC had previously sent checks totally $89,736 to small businesses involved in the complaint.

Recently uncovered additional information found by the FTC’s investigation prompted the agency to send a second round of refunds.

Ad Loading...

Representatives from DOTAuthority said at the time of the initial settlement that the suit was an example of government overreach and that the business was offering customers a convenience-oriented alternative and were filling a need in the market, rather than engaging in deception.

More Safety & Compliance

Illustration of inside truck cab with dashcam on window, definition of research, and ATRI logo

ATRI Wants Motor Carriers for Driver-Facing Camera Study

In this new study, the American Transportation Research Institute will explore how driver-facing cameras can impact safety and operational metrics in trucking fleets.

Read More →
Man seated in front of computer with inset of insights generated for a truck driver

Netradyne Intelligence Uses New AI Agents to Automate Response to In-Cab Camera Data

The company called the next-generation in-cab camera safety platform "a fundamental shift from systems that report on what happened to systems that actively drive what should happen next."

Read More →
Maintenanceby Deborah LockridgeJune 15, 2026

Mack, Volvo Issue ‘Do Not Drive’ Recall on Possible Wheel-Offs

Owners will be sent advance notice not to operate their affected vehicles until the remedy is performed.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Fleetworth-Lytx integration.

Fleetworthy Integrates Lytx Video Snapshots into Safety+ Platform

A new Fleetworthy-Lytx integration gives fleet managers access to video context alongside safety event data, streamlining driver coaching and incident review.

Read More →
Podcast thumbnail illustration
Fleet ManagementJune 4, 2026

How Waste Connections is Using Data, Telematics, and AI

How do you manage and maintain more than 18,000 connected trucks? Data. Lots of it.

Read More →
Fleet Advantage TRUST

Fleet Advantage: Top Logistics Fleets Outperform National Safety Benchmarks

Fleet Advantage's latest TRUST Safety Index found leading logistics fleets maintained significantly lower out-of-service rates and stronger safety scores than national averages, while highlighting persistent challenges related to tires, brakes, and unsafe driving behaviors.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
YouTube thumbnail showing Chuck Palmer illustration with refuse truck in background

Why Fleet Data Matters More Than Ever at Waste Connections [Watch]

Waste Connections' Chuck Palmer explains how telematics, predictive maintenance, safety analytics, and AI help keep vehicles on the road and drivers safe in this episode of HDT Talks Trucking.

Read More →
Thumbnail for podcast episode
Safety & ComplianceMay 28, 2026

Short Takes: How K&B is Using AI

Fleets need to "get on board the train" with AI, says Lance Evans of K&B Transportation in this HDT Talks Trucking Short Takes episode.

Read More →
Thumbnail for podcast episode
Safety & ComplianceMay 28, 2026

Short Takes: Inside K&B’s Truck Safety Tech

Listen to learn how K&B Transportation uses cellphone-blocking technology, speed management systems, weather geofencing, bridge avoidance tools, and more to improve driver safety.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration with caution graphic in background and photos of autonomous trucks
Safety & Complianceby Jack RobertsMay 27, 2026

The Biggest Gap in Driverless Trucking Isn’t Tech. It’s Safety Validation

Nauto’s Stefan Heck says autonomous trucks are advancing quickly but proving they’re safe enough for large-scale deployment may be the industry’s hardest challenge.

Read More →