First of all, I want to thank you for taking the time to read this account of events and consider donating to help my family, my business Freightcraft Logistics LLC, and lastly myself. I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of your time and consideration, and if you’re a believer or at least accepting of religious notions, God bless you.

My name is Andrew Clark. My family and I live in a wonderful little town called Dallas in North Carolina. In June of 2024, I opened my first business. I’m a veteran of the US Army, a former truck driver of almost eleven years, and all I’ve ever known in my professional career is logistics. So when my wife told me she was tired of me missing family events, holidays, and time with her and our daughter, I decided to open a freight brokerage from my home called Freightcraft Logistics LLC. We have a motor carrier number, which is 1621031, and a USDOT number, which is 4201600.

For those who may not be aware, a freight broker is a contractor who provides and oversees freight transportation services for their customers. We contract carriers with the correct equipment, handle paperwork, follow up with drivers or their dispatch to ensure loads are delivered safely and on time, etc…

In July of this year, my wife had a medical emergency and ended up having two surgeries within forty days of each other. As a result of being there for her in the hospital, and being home to care for her, I wasn’t able to go out and expand my business by finding new customers to work with. Things got a little slow, and I had hoped and prayed for help in the form of new business to help us along during that time.

That’s where this situation really begins, and the trouble started. I was reached out to by a man in Florida who at least claims to be a produce wholesaler that I almost did business with last year. He explained to me that they were looking to contract carriers from Washington State and Idaho to deliver loads of onions and potatoes to his company in Tampa, FL. For legal reasons, I’ve been advised not to reveal his name, or the name of his business by the attorney I’m working with, Shannon Fuhrman in Hernando County, FL. They’re wonderful people, and I appreciate everything that they’re doing to help me.

Everything seemed legitimate. I spoke with the man on the phone, exchanged W-9s, he sent me a contract to sign and send back, set up an account with their accounts payable department, the whole nine yards. I remember thinking as I was sitting next to Beth, in her hospital bed, “Praise God. Everything is going to be all right. Thanks to this, we’ll be okay while we get through this.”

But, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Most freight terms are paid Net 30, with the vast majority being paid in 40-45 days. And In 30 days, we had moved 12 loads from Washington State and Idaho to Florida for this customer. He paid a couple of small invoices for what we in the industry call TONUs, an accronym for Truck Order Not Used. This happens when you send a carrier, but the product isn’t ready, or there’s an issue that’s not the carrier’s fault, and you have to cancel the load.

Everything seemed to be going according to plan. We moved four more loads over the course of the next two weeks. The customer said checks were in the mail. But a week later the checks never arrived. We immediately stopped doing business with the customer, and new checks were supposedly issued. Those never arrived either.

Eventually, I was promised a wire transfer to pay approximately $30,000 of the open invoices. But then I was told it was their bank’s fault that it never got sent. This was a huge red flag. I began contacting the FBI, the USDA (because they’re a produce wholesaler), the Hernando County Sheriff’s Department (because their company is headquartered in Brooksville, FL), and my attorney.

We’re now moving into the legal process, but in the meantime, the carriers I contracted who did the work need to be paid, and several are filing on my bond to be paid for their services. I hold no grudges against these carriers for doing so. All of them did fine work and deserve to get the money that they’re owed. But if I can’t pay them, or pay my bond company back the money, the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) will shut down Freightcraft Logistics LLC, and because I’m personally liable for my bond, I will be stick with almost $100,000 worth of invoices, which I will be paying for probably for the rest of my life.

This is all my fault of course, and although I could blame the man in Florida, I’m trying my best to wish the best for him, pray for him, and for other potential victims of what is either his poor business practices, or possibly his scam. I’m ashamed to have to ask for help, but I’ve reached the end of my rope, and will be undying grateful for any help that anyone can offer. Even your willingness to read this garners my deepest thanks and well-wishes for you.

My hope is that my attorney will be able to recoup some of the funds from this person, and that I’ll be able to pay back every sent to those that donate. Although I still have hope, it is dwindling as these invoices owed to the carriers age, some of which are over 90 days now.

Please, if you can find it in your heart to help me pay the carriers back quickly for their hard work, and in the process, save my business so that I can continue to operate and do business the right way with both customers and carriers alike, I would be eternally grateful.

Again, I sincerely appreciate your consideration and time reading this. And whether you donate or not, I wish the best for you in all of your endeavors.