How to Recognize and Avoid Car Shipping Scams

Start with identity, not the appearance of the website

A polished website can display information copied from a real transport business. Type the official agency address yourself or follow a verified government link, then compare the company’s legal name and identifiers. Do not assume that a document with an agency logo proves that the sender controls the registered business.

Use the verification checklist and save the results. If a quote uses a brand name but the agreement names another company, ask for the relationship in writing. Legitimate explanations exist; an unanswered mismatch is what needs resolving.

Watch for payment instructions that change unexpectedly

Before paying, identify the agreed recipient, amount, method, and milestone. If a new message directs payment to a different account, person, or service, verify the change through contact details you previously established. A reply within an existing email conversation is not independent verification.

Ask for an invoice or receipt showing the business and booking reference. FMCSA advises customers to monitor authorized card transactions. If you believe a payment was unauthorized or obtained through fraud, contact your payment provider promptly and preserve the messages and transaction records.

Compare a low quote against a complete service description

A low figure might be an estimate, might omit a transport leg, or might depend on different dates or vehicle details. Ask whether a carrier has accepted the move, whether the amount is confirmed, and which conditions can change it. Review our quote-change guide before deciding.

A deposit is not, by itself, proof of fraud. Neither is using a broker. The important questions are whether the terms are clear, the parties can be verified, and the payment matches what you agreed.

Verify the person collecting the car

Before pickup, get the assigned carrier’s identity and a reliable dispatch contact. Check that the arriving driver and paperwork correspond to the confirmed arrangement. If something differs, call the verified booking contact before releasing the car or keys.

Hypothetical example: a seller in Phoenix receives a call from a driver who knows the destination but names an unknown company. The seller should confirm the assignment with the buyer and verified booking contact; knowing shipment details alone does not establish authorization.

What to do if you suspect a problem

1. Pause further payment or vehicle release while you verify the discrepancy.
2. Save the website address, advertisement, quote, agreement, invoices, and communications.
3. Contact the verified business through independently checked details.
4. Contact your payment provider promptly about a suspicious transaction.
5. Report an interstate auto-transporter or broker issue through the FMCSA complaint system where appropriate.

If a vehicle appears stolen or there is an immediate safety issue, contact law enforcement. Do not confront a driver physically or try to retrieve a vehicle in an unsafe way.

Keep fraud reports separate from contractual disputes

A missed pickup, price disagreement, or damage claim does not automatically establish fraud. Write a factual timeline and identify the remedy you are requesting. If the problem concerns damage, follow the damage documentation and claim steps rather than relying only on a complaint.

For an existing Highroad inquiry, use our contact page to request clarification. Do not submit bank credentials or copies of identification through the general quote form.