Red flags: how to spot a car shipping scam

Most car shipments go fine. But when they go wrong, the warning signs were often there from the start. These are the ones we see most in reviews and in company records.

1. A quote far below everyone else's

If one quote is hundreds of dollars below the rest, be careful. A common pattern: the low price wins the booking, no carrier will take the job at that price, and the customer is asked to pay more later or waits for weeks. Read why car shipping quotes change.

2. No USDOT number, or one that doesn't match

Legitimate interstate brokers and carriers are registered with FMCSA. If a company won't give you its USDOT number, or the number belongs to a different company name, walk away. When we checked the companies on our site, 733 of 3,947 no longer had active operating authority. Here's how to check.

3. Pressure to pay a large deposit right away

Deposits are common, but be wary of high-pressure demands to pay most of the price up front, especially by wire transfer, gift card or a payment app with no buyer protection. See how car shipping payment works.

4. "Guaranteed" dates with no extra charge

Exact guaranteed pickup dates usually cost more because the company has to reserve a truck. A guaranteed date at a bargain price is a promise that's hard to keep.

5. A contract you aren't allowed to read first

Ask for the terms in writing before you pay anything: the price, cancellation policy, deposit refund rules, and what happens if no carrier is found.

6. Reviews that all sound the same

A wall of short, five-star reviews posted within days of each other is worth a second look. See how to read car shipping reviews.

Protect yourself

• Check FMCSA authority and the company's reviews before paying.
• Get everything in writing.
• Pay by a method with buyer protection, such as a credit card.
• Inspect carefully on the bill of lading.

Companies whose authority has ended are marked Out of business on our site. Search a company before you book.