Car Shipping Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them
Here's a stat that'll make you think twice: 1 in 4 car shipping customers report being contacted by fraudulent companies after getting online quotes. We've seen it all in our 9 years moving vehicles across the country - from fake brokers to bait-and-switch pricing schemes.
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What Are the Most Common Car Shipping Scams?
The deposit scam tops our list. Here's how it works: a fake broker quotes you $800, asks for a $200 deposit, then disappears. We've had customers call us in tears after losing $500 to these crooks.
Bait-and-switch pricing comes in second. You get quoted $900, sign the contract, then suddenly it's $1,400 because your car is "larger than expected" or needs "special handling." Real talk - legitimate companies don't pull this garbage.
The phantom carrier scam is getting more sophisticated. Scammers create fake DOT numbers, fake insurance certificates, even fake carrier websites. Last month, a customer in Tampa showed us a fake DOT lookup that looked completely legit. The scary part? The real DOT number belonged to a plumbing company in Ohio.
How Do You Verify a Car Shipping Company Is Legitimate?
Start with the FMCSA database. Every legitimate broker and carrier must have active USDOT and MC numbers. Don't just check if the numbers exist - verify they match the company name and address exactly.
Call their physical office during business hours. If you get voicemail every time or the number goes to a cell phone, that's a red flag. We've been at our Los Angeles office since 2015 - you can drive by and knock on our door.
Check their insurance status through the FMCSA portal. Legitimate brokers carry $75,000 minimum bond coverage, and carriers need $750,000 in liability insurance. Understanding insurance coverage can save you thousands if something goes wrong.
What Red Flags Should You Watch for in Quotes?
Prices that sound too good to be true usually are. If someone quotes you $400 for a cross-country shipment when everyone else says $900-$1,200, run. The average cost to ship a standard sedan 1,000 miles is $800-$1,100.
Watch for pressure tactics. Scammers love to create urgency: "This price expires in one hour" or "We only have one spot left." Legitimate companies give you time to think. We typically hold quotes for 7-14 days.
Beware of cash-only or wire transfer demands. Real companies accept credit cards and checks. If they insist on Western Union or cryptocurrency, you're dealing with scammers. We've never asked a customer to wire money to Nigeria.
How Much Should You Pay Upfront for Car Shipping?
Legitimate brokers typically ask for $100-$300 upfront to secure your shipment. This deposit goes toward your total cost - it's not an extra fee. We charge $150 to book your transport, and it comes off your final bill.
Never pay the full amount upfront. The standard practice is deposit to broker, then pay the driver directly when your car gets delivered. Any company demanding full payment before pickup is running a scam.
Avoid companies asking for more than 20% down. We've seen scammers demand 50% or even 75% upfront. Here's the thing - once they have your money, you have zero use if they don't perform.
What Questions Should You Ask Before Hiring a Shipper?
Ask for their MC number and USDOT number upfront. A legitimate company will give you these without hesitation. Then verify them yourself on the FMCSA website. Don't take their word for it.
Get the carrier's information before pickup. You should know the driver's name, truck number, and carrier's DOT number. If your broker can't or won't provide this info, something's fishy.
Ask about their claims process. How do they handle damage? What's their insurance deductible? Door-to-door shipping involves multiple handoffs, so you need to know who's responsible if something goes wrong.
How Can You Spot Fake Reviews and Testimonials?
Check review dates and patterns. If a company has 50 five-star reviews all posted within two weeks, that's suspicious. Real reviews trickle in over months and years, not all at once.
Look for specific details in reviews. Fake reviews are generic: "Great service, would use again!" Real reviews mention specific routes, timing, or staff members. "Mike kept me updated during my Seattle to Phoenix shipment" sounds legit.
Verify reviews across multiple platforms. Scammers often focus on one site but neglect others. Check Google, BBB, Transport Reviews, and Yelp. If they're amazing on one platform but non-existent everywhere else, be suspicious.
What Should You Do If You've Been Scammed?
Contact your bank or credit card company immediately. If you paid by credit card, you might be able to dispute the charge. We've had customers recover deposits this way, but time is critical - don't wait weeks.
File a complaint with the FMCSA and your state's consumer protection agency. The more complaints they get about a specific company, the faster they can shut them down. Your complaint might save the next victim.
Document everything - emails, contracts, phone recordings if legal in your state. Screenshot their website before it disappears. We've helped customers build cases against fraudulent brokers using this evidence.
How Do Legitimate Companies Like Liberty Operate?
We've been licensed and bonded since 2015, with the same USDOT and MC numbers. You can verify our status anytime on the FMCSA website. Our insurance coverage goes up to $250,000 per vehicle - well above industry minimums.
Our process is transparent from start to finish. We explain exactly how student car shipping works, give you realistic timeframes, and never surprise you with hidden fees. What we quote is what you pay.
We work with vetted carriers who have clean safety records and proper insurance. Before assigning your car to any carrier, we verify their credentials and track record. It's extra work for us, but it keeps your car safe and our reputation intact.
Legitimate vs. Scam Car Shipping Companies
| Legitimate Companies | Red Flags (Scams) | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Valid USDOT/MC numbers | No DOT number or fake numbers | Check FMCSA database |
| $100-$300 deposit (10-20%) | $500+ or full payment upfront | Never pay 100% before pickup |
| Physical office address | P.O. Box or no address | Call during business hours |
| Credit card payments accepted | Cash/wire transfers only | Avoid Western Union demands |
| Realistic pricing $800-$1,200 | Too cheap $300-$500 | Get multiple quotes to compare |
| Insurance up to $1M liability | No insurance verification | Ask for insurance certificate |
| 7-14 day quote validity | Pressure to decide immediately | Take time to research |
If a car shipping company demands full payment before pickup or only accepts wire transfers, you're dealing with a scam. Legitimate companies never operate this way.
Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Liberty Car Shipping services.