Amazon Relay Expands Fraud Protections and Safety Incentives for Carriers

Amazon Relay is building multiple verification layers to combat freight fraud, a systemic problem affecting carriers across the trucking industry. The free load board and mobile app screens every carrier before approval and requires identity verification and background checks for all drivers before they can haul Amazon freight. The platform operates as a closed system where only Amazon and approved third-party shippers can list loads, eliminating the middlemen and subcontracting that create fraud vulnerabilities on traditional boards. Carriers receive tenders directly from Amazon Relay, and the company warns drivers to avoid booking Amazon-branded loads from any other source. Verification continues throughout the shipment. Real-time photo checks and license validation confirm the approved driver is behind the wheel, while trailer telematics including sensors, cameras, and tamper detection systems monitor cargo in transit. Monika Joshi, product marketing at Amazon Relay, told FreightWaves that this layered approach protects honest carriers who can otherwise get caught in the middle when fraud occurs elsewhere in the chain. As Prime Day volume approaches, Amazon is introducing a new safety incentive program for carriers on the platform. The timing reflects the company's push to expand its carrier base while maintaining the verified network that distinguishes Relay from competitors facing ongoing fraud challenges.