Uncover double brokering scams in auto transport: how they work, red flags to spot, and steps to protect your shipment and deposit from fraud.

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What Is Double Brokering in Car Shipping and How Can You Avoid It?

Double brokering plagues the car shipping world. It's a scam that costs shippers money and headaches. As a logistics manager at AMG Transport Co., a Texas-based auto transport broker, I've seen it ruin deals. We handle nationwide vehicle shipping door to door. We vet carriers. We avoid this mess. Let's break it down. You'll learn to spot it. You'll stay safe.

What Is Double Brokering in Auto Transport?

Double brokering happens when a fake broker takes your job. They collect your deposit. Then they pass it to another broker. Or they vanish. Real brokers contract directly with carriers. Scammers don't. They double-dip your cash.

FMCSA bans this. Brokers must have authority. They must load the truck. Scammers skip that. They broker your load again. It's illegal. It's risky.

How Does Double Brokering Actually Work?

Step one: Scammer calls you. Quotes low. Pressures fast payment. Takes deposit via Zelle or wire. Untraceable.

Step two: They post your load on load boards. Like Central Dispatch. Hope a real broker bites.

Step three: Real broker takes it. Pays scammer a fee. Or scammer ghosts everyone.

Your car sits. No pickup. Deposit gone. Carrier shows up late. No insurance match. Chaos.

I've managed thousands of shipments. Our parent, AMG Endeavors, runs carriers. We know the game. Scammers prey on newbies shipping cross country.

Why Is Double Brokering Harmful to Shippers?

You lose cash first. Deposits hit $200 to $500. Gone.

Delays kill plans. Moving to Florida from Texas? Job starts without your car.

No carrier accountability. Wrong truck arrives. Damage happens. No recourse.

Insurance gaps. Scammer's policy? Fake. Real carrier won't cover.

Rates spike later. Legit brokers charge fair. Scammers bait low. Switch high.

Industry suffers. Carriers distrust brokers. Rates climb for all.

How Can You Spot Double Brokering Red Flags?

Trust your gut. But check facts. Red flags scream scam.

Too-low quotes. If it's half market rate, run. Open car carrier transport costs $0.60-$1.20 per mile. Know baselines.
Payment rush. \"Pay now or lose truck!\" Nope.
No carrier details. Can't name truck? Broker? DOT number? Bad sign.
Sketchy payment. Avoid Cash App. Use credit or Stripe.
Ghosting post-deposit. Radio silence? Scam.
No FMCSA authority. Brokers need broker authority. Check it.
Fake reviews. All 5-stars on Google? Dig deeper.

We give honest quotes upfront. No games. 72-hour pickup windows guaranteed.

What Questions Reveal If a Broker Is Double Brokering?

Ask these. No straight answers? Walk.

What's your FMCSA broker authority number?
Who's my carrier? DOT/MC number? Insurance?
Can I speak to the driver now?
What's the truck type? Trailers? VIN?
Show me the carrier packet.
How do you vet carriers?

Legit brokers answer. Like us. We share vetted insured carriers. VIN scans at pickup. Proof every step.

| Legit Broker | Double Broker |

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

| Owns broker authority | Uses another's |

| Names carrier upfront | Vague or changes |

| Secure payments (Stripe) | Wire/Zelle |

| Contract with carrier | Posts on boards |

| Insured, vetted fleet | Unknown risks |

How Do You Protect Yourself from Double Brokering?

Don't wing it. Verify everything. Use tools. Pick experience.

1. Search FMCSA. Go to fmcsa.dot.gov. Check broker authority. Active? Good.

2. SaferWatch or Transport Reviews. See complaints. Patterns?

3. Call the carrier. Verify they took your load. Get dispatcher contact.

4. Carrier authority only. Some ship direct. But most won't. Need broker for door-to-door.

5. Secure deposit. Credit card or Stripe. Refundable.

6. Contract review. Master Carrier Agreement? Sign only after checks.

7. Track obsessively. GPS apps. Photos. VIN scans.

We do this daily. Texas to California? Houston to LA? Covered. Door pick-up and delivery. No hidden fees.

What Verification Steps Ensure a Legitimate Carrier?

DOT/MC check. Active? Intrastate OK? Interstate?
Insurance binder. $750k min cargo. Copy in hand.
Reviews and record. BBB, Google. Safety ratings.
Physical dispatch. Call. Confirm load.
AMG way. We vet all. Insured carriers only. 72-hour windows. Stripe deposits. Honest quotes match final bill.

Relocating? Shipping SUV? Non-runner? Multi-car? We handle. Enclosed for classics. Open for savings.

Why AMG Transport Co. Beats the Rest

Industry's fraud-filled. Roads dangerous. Carriers focus on driving. We handle sales, coords, systems. They hate people problems. Non-payers burn them. Brokers buffer.

But scams erode trust. Don't risk it. Choose proven. AMG Transport Co. Legit broker. Carrier parent. Vetted network. No double brokering here.

VIN scans protect condition. Stripe keeps deposits safe. Quotes upfront. Pickup in 72 hours. Nationwide door to door.

Texas-based auto transport broker you can trust. Cross-country from coast to coast. Best for out-of-state moves.

Ready? Get your quote now. No risk. All reward.

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