Car Shipping Fraud Is More Common Than People Expect
Auto transport scams typically follow the same playbook: a company posts an unusually low quote, collects a large upfront payment, and then either disappears or holds the vehicle hostage for additional fees before delivery. Hawaii shipments are an especially attractive target for this kind of fraud because customers cannot simply drive over and check on their vehicle. Knowing the warning signs before you book protects you.
Red Flag: No Physical Address or USDOT Number
Every legitimate auto transport company or broker is required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and display a USDOT number. If a company cannot provide one, or the number does not match their business name when you look it up, that is disqualifying. Our USDOT number is 3505506 and you can verify it directly on the FMCSA website.
Red Flag: Full Payment Demanded Upfront
A reasonable deposit that locks your rate and sailing date is standard practice. A demand for full payment before your vehicle ships is not. If a company will not accept a partial deposit applied toward the total, treat that as a serious warning sign.
Red Flag: A Quote That Seems Too Good to Be True
If every other quote for your route lands in the same general range and one company comes in dramatically lower, ask why. In many cases, that low number is a bait price that gets revised upward once the vehicle is already committed, or it excludes fees that get added later. Compare all-inclusive totals, not headline numbers.
How to Verify a Company Before You Book
Look up the USDOT number on the FMCSA Safety and Fitness Electronic Records system, check for a real street address, and read recent Google reviews rather than just the star average. A company with years of consistent five-star reviews and a verifiable address and license is a very different risk profile than one with a generic website and no verifiable history.
Have a quote from another company you want a second opinion on? Call (808) 378-7540 and we will help you compare it line by line.
