How to Verify a Transport Company's Legitimacy?
The auto transport industry is messy. I see it every day. You have thousands of carriers and brokers fighting for your business. Most people just want to find a trusted car shipping broker and move on with their lives. But if you aren't careful, you will end up as a cautionary tale on a review board.
I am Mike. I pull the strings at AMG Transport Co. Our parent company, AMG Endeavors, runs the trucks. We know both sides of the fence. Carriers are out there dealing with traffic, bad weather, and maintenance. They do not want to talk to you. They do not want to handle your paperwork. They want to drive. That is why they need us.
Scammers know you are stressed. They know you want the lowest price. They use that against you. Here is how you spot the fakes and find a Texas based auto transport broker nationwide that actually delivers.
Red Flags for Auto Transport Scams
The internet makes it easy to look professional. It also makes it easy to lie. If a deal feels off, it usually is. Do not let a low price blind you to the reality of the road.
Unprofessional Website or Communication
A real vehicle logistics company Texas residents can trust will have their act together. If the website looks like it was made in 1998, walk away. Look for broken links. Look for bad grammar. If they only email you from a Gmail or Yahoo account, that is a problem.
We keep it professional at AMG. We use real systems. We do VIN scans to make sure we are moving the right steel. If a company cannot handle a basic website, they cannot handle a multi-ton machine moving through four states.
Pressure to Pay Large Deposits Upfront
This is the biggest red flag in the book. A scammer wants your money before a truck is even assigned. They will call it a booking fee or a reservation deposit. Once you pay cash or use a wire transfer, they vanish.
At AMG Transport Co., we use Stripe for deposits. It is secure. It protects you. We do not play games with your money. Reliable car shipping services Texas customers use should not be asking for Western Union or Zelle payments. If they demand cash up front, hang up the phone.
Lack of Physical Address or Contact Information
If you cannot find where they live, do not give them your car. Every legitimate broker and carrier must be registered with the FMCSA. They need a physical office. Check their MC number. Check their DOT number. If the address on their website is a residential house or a P.O. box, be careful.
Why You Need a Broker You Can Trust
You might think about going direct to a carrier. Good luck. Most carriers do not have a sales team. They do not have a customer service desk. They have a driver and an engine. Many carriers actually prefer brokers because brokers guarantee payment. Carriers have been burned by individuals who do not pay.
On the flip side, some carriers will try to overcharge you if you go direct. They know you do not know the market rates. A good broker acts as a buffer. We keep the rates reasonable because we know what the route is actually worth. We have the relationships. We make sure the carrier is invested in taking care of our clients.
Comparison: Professional Broker vs. The Scammers
| Feature | AMG Transport Co. | Typical Scammer |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Payment Method | Secure (Stripe) | Wire Transfer / Zelle |
| Communication | Professional / Direct | High Pressure / Vague |
| Pickup Window | Reliable 72-Hour Window | "Maybe next week" |
| Verification | VIN Scans & Vetted Insurance | No verification |
| Pricing | Honest & Transparent | Too good to be true |
How to Choose a Reliable Auto Transport Broker
Look at the track record. You want to see how to choose a reliable auto transport broker by checking their safety record and reputation. Do they vet their drivers? We do. We check insurance. We make sure they are active. We do not just put your car on the first truck that says yes.
Whether you need enclosed auto transport for luxury cars or a simple open car carrier transport cost estimate, the process should be the same. You need a 72-hour pickup window. You need a human who answers the phone when things go wrong. Because on the road, things can go wrong. A broker is there to solve the problems so you do not have to.
Final Breadcrumbs
Car shipping is not magic. It is logistics. It involves heavy equipment and expensive assets. If a quote is $500 cheaper than everyone else, you are going to regret it. You will either get scammed or your car will sit in your driveway for three weeks while the "company" looks for a driver willing to take a low-ball rate.
We provide experienced car shipping brokers you can trust. We manage the frontend sales, the coordinating, and the backend systems. We take the heat so the carriers can drive.
Stop gambling with your vehicle. Get an honest quote from people who know the trucks and the roads. We get the job done right. No fluff. No excuses.
Get a quote from AMG Transport Co.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.