Free tool
Scam & red-flag checker
Car shipping scams follow a small set of patterns: a quote far below market, a deposit demanded before any carrier is assigned, no MC or USDOT number, payment by wire or gift card, and vague insurance claims. Tick the statements that match the quote you received; three or more high-weight flags means walk away and verify the company on FMCSA before paying anything.
Updated September 2026
How scoring works
Each flag carries a weight of 1–3. The weights are our editorial judgement, informed by FMCSA and FTC consumer guidance: missing registration, pre-dispatch deposits, irreversible payment methods and far-below-market pricing weigh 3; role misrepresentation, fake-looking reviews, name mismatches and vague insurance weigh 2; sales-pressure tactics weigh 1. A score of 8 or more is high risk, 4–7 is caution, 1–3 is low risk. The tool stores nothing.
Scam & red-flag checker FAQ
What is the most common car shipping scam?
Bait-and-switch pricing: a broker quotes far below market, takes a deposit, and either raises the price once you are committed or never dispatches a truck. Verifying the MC number and refusing pre-dispatch deposits avoids most of it.
How do I verify a car shipping company?
Check the USDOT/MC number on FMCSA (our free verifier does this live): active authority, bond or insurance on file, no out-of-service order. Then search the exact company name plus the word complaints, and confirm the name on the quote matches the FMCSA record.
Is it normal to pay a deposit?
A broker fee charged at dispatch, once a specific carrier is assigned and you approve the price, is normal. A deposit before dispatch, or one that is non-refundable if no carrier is ever assigned, is not.
Should I avoid brokers entirely?
No. Most consumer shipments are arranged through brokers because carriers run fixed lanes and fill them from load boards. The problem is dishonest brokers, not brokerage. Choose one that is bonded, transparent about being a broker, and tells you the carrier’s name and insurance before pickup.
