How to Avoid Car Shipping Scams

So, imagine you’ve just landed a new job in sunny California. You have a lot on your plate right now – where to move, what to pack, and, of course, how to get your car there.

You don’t want to drive yourself, that’s too long and tiresome. So, after a quick Google search you stumble upon a car shipping service.

Without thinking twice, you decide to take their services. What can possibly go wrong?

The days go by, but the delivery date keeps getting pushed back. You contact the agency, but the call goes straight to voicemail and you find out they’re gone with your money and your car.

Oops, you have been scammed! 

If you think you should have known better and this imaginary scenario triggers you, keep reading. In this article, we’ll find out all about car shipping scams, how to spot them and how to make sure you choose only reliable services.

How Do Car Shipping Scams Work?

You can’t avoid scams if you can’t identify them properly. So, for starters, it wouldn’t hurt to learn about the most common types of an auto transport scam.

Here are the ones you need to stay aware of:

The Bait and Switch

The bait and switch scam happens when an auto shipping company baits you with a very low price, and then switches the conditions later on.

At first, they offer you a price that’s unrealistically low. Once you’re hooked, they tell you that additional fees or last minute changes have occurred, so you need to pay a higher price.

All this is accompanied with a sense of urgency and a feeling of guilt, so you don’t refuse.

The moral of the story is, if something seems too good to be true, it actually is.

The Deposit Scam

In this case, you are dealing with a company that requires an upfront payment.

It’s more difficult to spot because you might think that it’s a legit company that has its own conditions. Of course, some real shipping companies may also require a deposit, but not until they’ve actually matched you with a shipper.

Besides, they ask you to pay 50% of the price or even the whole sum. And it usually involves non-traditional payment methods like cryptocurrency, gift cards, etc.

Once the payment is done, you’ll never see them again. So, think twice before making a payment.

The Fake Seller/Buyer

Scammers often pose as buyers or sellers in car transactions, using manipulative tactics to get your money or personal information. 

Fake sellers pretend to be a reputable company and lure potential buyers with unrealistic promises. They offer very low prices and even claim they’ll handle the shipping process. In reality, there is no car and they will disappear right after getting your money.

Fake buyers, on the other hand, will request your personal information or banking details with the same old promises that are too good to be true. As a result, you can lose both your money and personal information.

How to Spot a Fake Car Shipping Company

Some car shipping companies you may see on the internet aren’t even real. Yes, you heard it right.

In fact, scammers can build convincing websites, choose a trustworthy name and even fake their reviews to convince you you’re dealing with a legitimate company. However, they provide no services and will vanish the minute you transfer them your money.

Here are some signs you are dealing with a fake company:

• Recently made website: If the website is new, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s a scam. However, most fake websites are relatively new, which makes it look suspicious.
• No valid DOT or MC number: All legitimate car shipping companies must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Fake companies often use made-up numbers or steal them from other businesses, so keep an eye on them.
• Vague contact information: Fake companies often use a generic email, physical address and phone number. So, if their company email is [email protected] and they are registered at 123 Main Street, they are most likely a scam.
• No real reviews: If the company has no reviews whatsoever or ones that look obviously sketchy, it’s best to avoid it. See a vague review from a user named “TruckLuvr99” with a silly avatar like a dog in sunglasses? Hard pass.

Sounds like a given, right? However, many people fail to read these signs early on and still fall victim to scammers.

Red Flags to Watch Before Booking a Shipment

Apart from a fake website or generic contact information, there are other red flags that you can notice after interacting with the business.

Let’s take a look at some of them:

• No written contract: If there’s no clear contract or agreement, you have no proof that the company owes you anything. This leaves the door open for unexpected changes or fails to deliver the service. And you can’t do anything about it.
• Vague pricing: The sales quote should include all the necessary information in a clear format. If the company is vague about their pricing or the sum looks too good to be true, it’s a red flag.
• Poor communication: Before booking the shipment, contact the company’s customer support. If they take forever to respond, send you sloppy emails or pressure you to pay, they are not trustworthy.
• Sketchy payment terms: Scammers often demand an upfront payment and prefer non-traceable payment methods like Western Union or Moneygram. Stick to a credit card payment so you can get a refund if something goes wrong.

Keeping an eye on these red flags and being cautious before booking the shipment can save you a lot of trouble. After all, it’s much easier to avoid a problem rather than solve it.

However, if you’ve already fallen prey to scammers, it’s not the end of the world. You can take actionable steps to make the most of your situation.

If you paid by credit card, you can contact your bank or payment provider to reverse the transaction or block any further payments. 

Then, you need to file a report to the FMCSA, Better Business Bureau (BBB), and your state authorities. Collect all evidence like screenshots, receipts and website links to support your case.

And finally, leave reviews about the scammers to warn other people and prevent them from becoming the next victim of an auto transport scam.

Tips for Choosing a Trustworthy Car Shipping Company

If you’ve made it this far, you already know a lot about choosing the right car shipping company and avoiding the wrong one.

The key here is to take your time. Research the company properly, verify all the information you can and stay clear of the red flags we mentioned earlier.

Besides, learn to trust your gut. If something feels off, it’s better to double check the information rather than regret your decisions later.

And if all this talk about scammers and cheaters makes you anxious, you can always choose a professional company that doesn’t make you overthink its credibility.

Global Auto Transportation can handle everything with the professionalism and safety you need at a reasonable price. All you need to do is simply choose the service and see how easy shipping can actually be.

So, if you have a vehicle to be shipped, don’t hesitate to trust the professionals!