A new crime threat in the haulage sector could place greater scrutiny on O-licence directors’ details, with those hauliers who fail to keep these details up to date being called before the Traffic Commissioner.
The warning comes from specialist fleet insurance broker McCarron Coates in the wake of a recent BBC investigation, which discovered an identity fraud-based crime tactic, which has operated in Europe to date, is now being used in the UK.
The scam involves criminals buying financially distressed haulage companies and taking over their operations. The bogus operators run the business for just long enough to steal a few consignments, before they then disappear.
Their victims can be both companies shipping goods and also hauliers who are sub-contracting to what they believe to be a legitimate haulage business. These criminal businesses can appear to have all the paperwork and even an operator’s licence in place.
McCarron Coates said that, with this crime information now being in the public domain, having trust in third parties is crucial.
It warns that it is imperative hauliers keep all of their ownership and managerial information up-to-date, remembering to not just acquire Companies House official director verification but to also advise both Companies House and the Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC), of any changes.
It also notes that it became the requirement for directors, and anyone with significant control of a company, to achieve Companies House verification as of November 18, 2025.
McCarron Coates said: “The OTC has a fundamental need to know who the persons with significant control within an HGV business are, to understand who is in charge.
“This has always been the case. Now, however, with the new crime tactic impacting haulage, which is all about who is owning and operating a haulage operation, it is essential ownership details are correct.”
The broker warns that this is probably not going to stop these crimes, with criminals long gone before an ownership issue comes to light. However, by remembering to update the OTC instantly, as a legitimate haulage business, will remove some of the uncertainty that fellow hauliers may have when sub-contracting, the broker advises.
“If your details match those on public record, without discrepancies, it can provide more certainty. It could also potentially remove a trigger that could lead to a call to meet with the Traffic Commissioner.
“If the new form of haulage crime is based on identity fraud and taking over former reputable companies, it is logical to assume more focus will be placed on checking that haulage companies are being run by the people on the OTC’s records.
“If that is not the case, it is a signal that other things could be amiss within the operation,” the company explained.
Ian McCarron, director at McCarron Coates, said: “Hauliers must be particularly alert and aware of the need to update their directors’ details immediately, if there is a change.
“The same is true if they alter their company status, moving perhaps from limited company to partnership or sole trader, for instance.
“These are not irrelevancies for the Traffic Commissioner and hauliers wanting to prove they are fit and proper individuals really must stay on top of the detail and their reporting requirement.”
Should the Traffic Commissioner request a meeting, hauliers must not bury their head in the sand or take it lightly, the broker warned.
Paul Coates, McCarron Coates’ director, said: “Hauliers should not brush off a call before the Traffic Commissioner or think it easy to represent themselves.Getting professional advice, as soon as the OTC makes contact, is essential.
“This is why we have arranged the underwriting of a unique product that enables hauliers to access immediate legal advice and help, should the worst occur, but also proactively avoid pitfalls that trigger an OTC review in the first place.”
