How to avoid auto transport scams
5 min read
Most complaints in this industry trace back to three patterns. All three are avoidable in about ten minutes of checking.
Bait-and-switch pricing
A broker quotes far below market, takes a deposit, then reports that no carrier will take the load at that price and asks for more. The tell is a quote noticeably under every other bid with no breakdown of carrier pay.
Double brokering
The company you hired quietly resells your load to another carrier. You lose the insurance and safety record you thought you vetted, and claims get bounced between two parties. Ask which MC number will physically carry the car and confirm it matches the driver at pickup.
Deposit and phantom-company fraud
Wire transfers, Zelle, gift cards and cash app requests are the strongest possible warning. Legitimate operators take cards and issue receipts.
How to verify anyone in five minutes
Look up the MC and USDOT number on the FMCSA SAFER site and confirm the authority is active and the name matches. Ask for a certificate of insurance listing cargo and liability limits with a future expiry date. Check whether reviews are tied to real completed shipments rather than anonymous posts.
Every carrier on TankWorldWide has their authority and insurance certificate on file with an expiry date we enforce — carriers with lapsed coverage are automatically blocked from taking new leads.
Common questions
Is a deposit normal?
Yes, a deposit to reserve a slot is standard. Paying the full amount upfront by wire is not.
How do I know my carrier is insured?
Request the certificate of insurance and confirm the expiry date. On TankWorldWide the insurance status is shown on the carrier profile.
See your actual price
Itemized quote with carrier pay, platform fee and damage protection — no email wall.
Get instant quote