As part of our commitment to security, compliance, and accurate identity verification, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc.® (NMFTA)™ has updated their address requirements when applying for and renewing a Standard Carrier Alpha Code® (SCAC™). A significant change is that post office (P.O. Boxes will no longer be accepted unless they are listed on your government-issued ID. This ensures that the address you provide can be verified against official records.
ID Verification Must Match Your Government-Issued Identification
When verifying an individual’s identity, we rely on government-issued ID as the primary source of truth. To maintain accuracy and prevent fraud, the address used during verification must match:
- The address printed on your government issued ID
Important Update
If your government issued ID lists a P.O. Box, we will accept it. If your ID does not list a P.O. Box, we cannot accept a P.O. Box as your address. This ensures:
- The address can be validated through official records;
- The individual’s identity and residency can be confirmed; and
- Fraud and impersonation risks are significantly reduced.
A P.O. Box alone does not establish where a person lives unless it is directly tied to their ID.
Business Accounts Require a Physical Business Address
For business verification, we must confirm that a company operates from a legitimate, physical location. Because of this, we cannot accept:
- P.O. Boxes (unless printed on a government issued business document);
- Mail forwarding services;
- Virtual mailbox providers; or
- UPS Store or similar mailbox rentals.
A valid business address must reflect the company’s actual operational location. This helps us:
- Confirm business legitimacy;
- Meet regulatory and compliance standards;
- Prevent shell companies and fraudulent activity; and
- Maintain transparency and accountability.
Mail-only addresses do not meet these requirements.
Why P.O. Boxes and Mail Services Are Restricted
While P.O. Boxes and mail services are convenient, they cannot be used for verification unless they appear on official ID because:
- They do not confirm a physical residence or business location;
- They can be rented without establishing an identity;
- They do not provide proof of where someone lives or operates; and
- They make identity and business validation more difficult.
This policy ensures a higher level of security and accuracy.
Acceptable Address Types
For Individuals
- Physical residential address; and
- P.O. Box only if it appears on your government issued ID.
For Businesses
- Physical business location; and
- Registered business address recognized by state or local authorities.
Mailing addresses may still be used for correspondence, but not for verification unless they appear on official ID.
To learn more about the recent SCAC ID Verification requirements for non-Class 8 carriers, visit scac.nmfta.org/id-verification.
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