How to Spot Fake Auto Transport Brokers and Avoid Scams
The car shipping industry is a dirty business. I am not going to lie to you. Every day, I see people get chewed up by scammers and fake brokers. They see a low price and think they are getting a deal. Instead, they get a headache and a stolen deposit. I have been in logistics long enough to know how this ends.
AMG Transport Co. exists for a reason. Our parent company, AMG Endeavors, handles the trucks. I handle the people. Carriers do not want to talk to you. They have enough problems on the road. They want to drive. They rely on brokers like me to handle the mess. But you need to know who you are dealing with before you hand over your keys.
How to Spot Fake Auto Transport Brokers
Identifying a fake broker is step one. If you miss this, you lose your money. It is that simple.
What red flags indicate a broker is fake?
If a price looks too good to be true, it is. Scammers use low-ball quotes to lure you in. They know you want to save money shipping a car from Houston to Los Angeles. Once they have your deposit, they vanish.
Another flag is communication. Do they have a real office? Is it a Texas based auto transport broker nationwide, or just a guy in a basement? Look for a physical address. Check their DOT number on the FMCSA website. If they cannot provide a license number, hang up. Legitimate companies do not hide.
How do legitimate brokers differ from scammers?
Legitimate brokers act as a buffer. We keep rates reasonable. We know what it actually costs to move a car. A scammer will promise a price they cannot fulfill. Then, no carrier will pick up the load because the money is too low.
At AMG Transport Co., we use honest quotes. We know the open car carrier transport cost because we see it every day. We do the frontend work, the coordinating, and the backend systems. We use VIN scans to ensure the right car is on the right truck. Scammers do not care about your VIN. They just want your credit card number.
What payment methods should you avoid with brokers?
Never pay via wire transfer, Zelle, or CashApp. Once that money is gone, it is gone forever. If a broker insists on these methods, they are a fake.
Trusted brokers use secure systems. We use Stripe for deposits. It is tracked. It is secure. It protects you and it protects us. A real business does not need you to send untraceable cash to a random account.
| Feature | Legitimate Broker (AMG) | Scammer / Fake Broker |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Payment | Secure (Stripe/Credit Card) | Wire Transfer, Zelle, Apps |
| Pricing | Realistic Market Rates | Unbelievably Low Quotes |
| Licensing | Verified MC/DOT Numbers | Hidden or Expired Numbers |
| Vetting | Fully Insured Carriers Only | Whoever is Cheapest |
| Communication | Direct and Professional | Ghosting after deposit |
Avoiding Common Auto Transport Scams
Scams come in different flavors. You need to know the recipes so you do not get burned.
How do fake brokers steal your money?
The most common way is the "Deposit Ghost." They give you a quote for nationwide vehicle shipping door to door. They demand a $200 deposit to "reserve a spot." You pay. You never hear from them again.
They also play the middleman game. They take your money, then call a real broker to finish the job, pocketing the difference while you pay twice. It is a mess. It happens because people do not look for an experienced car shipping broker you can trust.
What are the signs of a bait-and-switch scam?
This is the oldest trick in the book. You get a cheap quote for car shipping services Texas. You book it. The 72-hour pickup window passes. No truck. The broker calls and says, "The driver wants more money."
Now you are in a bind. You have a flight to catch. You pay the extra $400. This is a bait-and-switch. A good broker knows what affects car shipping cost per mile. We quote the price it takes to get the job done right the first time. No surprises.
How to verify a broker's insurance and licensing?
Do not take their word for it. Go to the FMCSA Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system. Type in their name or DOT number. It will tell you if they are authorized to operate.
Also, ask about their carrier vetting. Carriers are not saints. Some fly-by-night operators do not have insurance. We only use vetted, insured carriers. We check their auto transport safety record and reputation before we let them touch your vehicle. Whether it is an enclosed auto transport for luxury cars or a standard open carrier, the driver must be clean.
Why You Need a Real Broker
You could try to find a carrier yourself. You will fail. Most carriers do not work with individuals. Why? Because individuals are a risk. People do not pay. They complain about things they do not understand. Carriers prefer working with us. We handle the headaches. We ensure they get paid. In exchange, they take care of our clients.
Whether you are relocating to Florida or need to ship a car from Texas to California, you need a guiding light. The roads are dangerous. Logistics are complicated. You need someone who knows the difference between shipping an SUV vs sedan cost. You need someone who knows how to handle shipping a non-running vehicle.
Don't get cute with your car. Your vehicle is likely your second most valuable asset. Do not trust it to a scammer with a nice website and a fake price. Use a team that knows the trucks, knows the drivers, and knows the truth.
AMG Transport Co. provides door-to-door car shipping how it works: honestly and professionally. We offer a 72-hour pickup window and use secure systems. We do the work carriers hate so you get the service you deserve.
Stop gambling with your car. Get a real quote from a real company.
Get an honest quote from AMG Transport Co. here.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.