What Is Double Brokering in Auto Transport and How to Spot It?

Auto transport is full of sharks. Double brokering tops the list of scams. It hurts shippers most. As a logistics manager at AMG Transport Co., a Texas-based auto transport broker, I see it daily. Shippers lose money. Vehicles sit stranded. Carriers get stiffed too.

We handle nationwide vehicle shipping door to door. Our parent, AMG Endeavors, runs carriers. Brokers like us do the sales, coordination, and backend. Carriers focus on roads. They avoid customer hassles. Roads are dangerous enough.

What Exactly Is Double Brokering in Auto Transport?

Double brokering happens when a fake broker takes your job. They don't move your car. Instead, they re-sell the load to another broker or carrier. They pocket your deposit. Then they vanish.

It's illegal. FMCSA bans it. But scammers thrive on load boards. They grab jobs cheap. Flip them for profit. No skin in the game.

How Does Double Brokering Work in Practice?

Here's the play-by-play:

1. Scammer quotes low. Hooks you with a deal.

2. You pay a deposit. Often full amount upfront.

3. They post your load on public boards like DAT or Truckstop.

4. Real broker or carrier grabs it cheap.

5. Scammer keeps the spread. No truck dispatched.

6. Your car waits. Or worse, gets picked up by uninsured hauler.

Real brokers book direct with vetted carriers. We don't flip loads.

Why Is Double Brokering Harmful to Shippers?

You lose big. Deposits gone. No insurance coverage. Vehicle exposed on roads. Delays pile up. Cross-country hauls take weeks extra.

Think you're shipping from Houston to Los Angeles. Scammer delays it. Your move stalls. Non-running cars or SUVs sit vulnerable.

Carriers hate it too. They haul without pay. Brokers' margins get blamed. But good brokers build trust. We keep rates reasonable. Invest in carrier relationships.

What Are the Top Red Flags of Double Brokering Scams?

Spot them fast. Save your cash.

• Unrealistically low quotes.
• Pressure for full upfront payment.
• No physical office. Just a PO box.
• Brand new MC authority. Under 6 months old.
• Generic emails. No company domain.
• Refusal to provide carrier details upfront.
• Dispatchers dodging FMCSA checks.

Here's a quick comparison:

| Sign | Legit Broker/Carrier | Double Broker Scammer |

|-----------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|

| Quote | Realistic, market-based | Too low to believe |

| Payment | Secure deposit via Stripe | Full upfront, wire/venmo |

| Authority | Established USDOT/MC | New or inactive |

| Insurance | Proof on demand, active | Vague promises |

| Pickup Window | 72 hours or less | Vague, endless delays |

Why Do Scammers Use Unrealistically Low Quotes?

Low bids lure you. Market rates for open car carrier transport hold steady. Cross-country? Expect $1.00-$1.50 per mile.

Scammers undercut. They know you compare auto transport quotes. But they can't deliver. No trucks. No network.

Real cost? Fuel, labor, insurance. We give honest quotes. No hidden fees. Door-to-door car shipping how it works: transparent.

How Does Pressure to Pay Upfront Signal Trouble?

Legit outfits take deposits. Secure via Stripe. Balance on delivery.

Scammers demand full pay now. Wires, Zelle, Venmo. Untraceable. Once sent, gone.

We use VIN scans pre-pickup. Vetted insured carriers only. Protects you.

How Can You Verify a Legitimate Broker or Carrier?

Don't skip this. Verify every time.

Check FMCSA database. Call numbers. Demand docs.

What FMCSA Tools Should You Use to Check Credentials?

Use these free tools:

• USDOT Search: Enter number. Confirm active authority.
• Licensing & Insurance: Verify MC number. Broker bond minimum $75k.
• Safer System: Review safety ratings. Crash data.

Look for Texas-based auto transport brokers nationwide like us. Established. Reviews matter. Trusted car shipping broker reviews build trust.

Most carriers won't deal direct. Brokers required. Choose experienced.

Why Is Proof of Active Insurance Essential?

Minimum: $750k cargo. $1M auto liability.

Demand certificates. Name your vehicle. Active dates.

Scammers fake it. Or skip. Your luxury car? Use enclosed auto transport. We vet carriers for enclosed vs open.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Double Brokering?

Act quick:

1. Stop payments. Demand refund.

2. File FMCSA complaint. Online form.

3. Contact your bank. Dispute charges.

4. Notify state AG. BBB too.

5. Repost load with legit broker.

Don't chase scammers. Report. Move on.

Choose AMG Transport Co. – Your Safe Bet

Tired of risks? Brokers aren't the enemy. Bad ones are.

AMG Transport Co. runs clean. VIN scans verify vehicles. Stripe deposits secure. Vetted insured carriers only. 72-hour pickup windows. Honest quotes, no games.

From Texas to anywhere. Open or enclosed. SUVs, classics, non-runners. We handle it.

See why we're the experienced car shipping broker you can trust. Get your free quote today.

Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.