How To Tell if Your Car Shipping Company Is a Scam

Keep your eyes open for the car shipping industry red flags listed below. Being diligent about spotting these warning signs can help you avoid car shipping scams as you search for a reputable auto transport provider.

No Customer Reviews or Company Website

“Online reviews are a valuable resource for vetting businesses,” Savov said. “If a company has no reviews across multiple platforms, this can be a warning sign.” If you’re looking for reviews on reputable websites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot but are coming up empty, Savov noted that this company could either be “new, unproven or potentially fraudulent.”

No company website — or worse yet, one that looks like it was hastily put together — is another red flag. If you’re struggling to find information on a provider’s website or you spot spelling and grammatical errors, “this may indicate a lack of professionalism or legitimacy,” Savov said. In addition, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) urges consumers to be suspicious of any website that’s unclear about whether the company is a broker or a transporter.

No Motor Carrier or DOT Number

One of the easiest ways to spot a fraudulent car shipping company is if it lacks a motor carrier (MC) number or a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number. All legitimate companies in the auto transport industry, from direct carriers to brokers, are required to have these numbers, which indicate that the company is registered with FMCSA.

Most companies display MC and DOT numbers on their websites, but if you’re unable to find them, a quick search on the FMCSA website will help you determine whether the carrier you’re researching is lawful and legitimate.

Fake Phone Number, Physical Address or Email Address

Savov pointed out that “a physical address provides a level of accountability and allows for potential recourse in the event of a dispute.” A post office (P.O.) box or no address at all should be cause for concern, since it greatly reduces your ability to get in contact with the supposed provider.

Verifying contact information like email addresses and phone numbers can quickly weed out bad providers. Call the phone numbers listed on a carrier’s website to ensure that they’re in service and then connect to the actual shipping provider. If you receive questionable emails from illegitimate online addresses, steer clear of that company.

Asking for Payment via Untraceable Methods

Beware of car shippers asking for payment through services like MoneyGram or Western Union. Scammers like to use these payment methods because they involve untraceable wire transfers, which make it difficult for you to ever recover your money.

Reputable companies accept traceable payment methods like credit cards, debit cards, cashier’s checks and secure payments through PayPal. Companies that accept these payment options are far more likely to be legitimate providers rather than fronts for scams.