Possible Scam During Car Transport

Many trusted car shipping companies such as Car Shipping Hawaii put the necessary time and effort into making their website engaging and intuitive so that they can create good impressions for new and potential clients. 

Moreover, they also know that people refer to information about their services on the internet, so it is crucial to make this information available through a new and modern website. 

So, suppose you encounter an outdated layout and many errors in a car shipping company’s website and only an email address as their contact details. 

In that case, it might be a car transport scam. Moreover, if you do not see its motor carrier number, it is best to look for another company. 

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Some people fall for logistics agent scams because these companies offer low prices for their services. In fact, most of them mention that this is the only amount you need to pay. However, they might be hiding some information in terms and conditions. 



As a result, you will end up paying more than what you expected. Therefore, it is recommended to go through the car shipping service provider’s terms and conditions before paying. In addition, you can also inquire about the additional charges not indicated in the quote provided. 

Before you sign the agreement, bogus car shipping companies will often ask you to provide your credit card details. In fact, they might also promise you better chances of getting your desired schedule if you pay early. 



However, it’s best not to provide your credit card details except when you fully understand the terms and conditions and sign the agreement. Doing so can help you prevent being a victim of a fake car shipping scam.

Moreover, you should also consider looking for another car shipping company if they ask for extra payment using a credit card or cancellation. This is because almost all credit card providers do not allow businesses to charge more for payments made through credit cards.

Car moving company frauds attempt to make customers believe that they have a truck in your area and driver using false images to make their services seem genuine. However, there is a possibility that they are tricking customers for them to make a payment. 

When availing of car shipping services, you should receive your car in the same condition as it was picked up. Therefore, it is best to check the interior and exterior of your vehicle before shipping it. 



For example, you need to indicate the mileage on the odometer, list any existing damage, and take pictures for confirmation. Then, you can place these details in a secure area to prevent them from getting lost during car transport. 

In addition, you can also check the company’s policies about reporting damages and how you can get a reimbursement if repairs are needed. 

After all, even trusted car shipping companies could not prevent all possible issues, so it is best to know what you can do if there is a problem. This is because you are left with no choice but to accept the vehicle’s condition if you are scammed. 

So, suppose a car shipping company insists on delivering at night, or your car seems dirty. In that case, you should consider it as a sign and do not sign the bill of lading unless you have inspected your vehicle again and checked that there are no damages.

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Another thing to note is that all car shipping companies need to be registered under FMSCA or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Aside from the motor carrier number, they should also have a USDOT or US Department of Transportation number.

Therefore, companies that engage in car service scams will not be able to provide these credentials. Overall, you can look for these requirements yourself on the FMSCA website. 

Car transport reviews are crucial when you do your research about car shipping. You can see many of these on Google and other consumer review websites. Checking online reviews can also help you discover which auto transport companies to avoid.



Moreover, it’s best to check what customers mentioned rather than looking only at the number of good and bad reviews. 

In addition, it’s best to be doubtful of companies that only have positive reviews. After all, a record like this is rare, so having only positive reviews can mean these are car shipping scams. 

A broker and a car shipping company are different. With that said, the difference between the two should be made clear right away. In this case, direct carriers are the transporters. They transport vehicles to a destination using their trucks and drivers. 



Moreover, their services are not given to a different company, so the car shipping process is made with the same people. In contrast, brokers are the middle people between car shippers and clients.

However, some of them accept the lowest bid and keep the difference. Overall, it is best to avoid car shipping companies that do not have their own trucks or drivers. 

Car shipping companies that offer their services for incredibly low prices are something you need to look out for. So, if you see a provider with much lower prices compared to average quotes from other companies, you need to question it and ask why their services are this low. 



Moreover, it’s vital to read and understand the terms and conditions to identify the extra charges for the services. In addition, you can also clarify with the car shipping company of your choice. 

They might be trying to upsell you with other services or upgrades that are already included in the quotes of other car transport companies.

Generally, you should only make a payment to your car shipping company if you know your driver’s name and contact details. 



Companies who try to pressure you to deposit before providing details such as information about your driver are likely looking for ways to get more money from you. 

If you do not have this information, your car shipping service provider can ask for additional payment near the day of your schedule. 

Even though you feel confident with your car shipping service provider after your research, going through all the agreement details is very important. This is because simply scanning and signing the agreement can result in paying for additional charges once the car is delivered. 



So, suppose you do not read the agreement carefully. In that case, you might find out after that the provider’s insurance will not cover the damages to your car. Therefore, you should not sign until each limitation, liability, exemption, and fee is clear.

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Finally, you have a better understanding of different scams in car transport services and ways you can avoid them. 



Overall, the scams and warning signs indicated here are the most common. However, there are still many ways on how to determine if your preferred car shipping company can be trusted or not. 

Simply put, it is best to go for a company with a sound payment system and provides good responses about the services they offer.