How To Avoid Getting Scammed In Auto Transport Services

Nobody wants to get a lemon. Here are some ways on how to avoid getting scammed in auto transport service. I was once told that the best way to identify counterfeit money is to make sure you know what real money looks like. So what does real car shipping company look like?

Authentic car shipping comes with smiles and handshakes. Don’t leave everything in the virtual world. Visit a car shipping company and judge for yourself the authenticity of the people there. Are their smiles for real? Are their handshakes firm? These may seem superficial but at least you have something to go on.

Authentic car shipping has paperwork. Visit a car shipping company and check any documents to say that they are legit. This shouldn’t be a problem if that company was not trying to scam you. Ask for an official ID number from the Department of Transportation (DOT) or other proofs of their authenticity to conduct business.  Some companies have their ID’s and telephone numbers printed on their carrier trucks.

Here are a few practices that a legit shipper does: they give free shipping quotes, they ask for 50% down payment, they explain their services and conditions, they offer good insurance, they have good track record and are willing to show it, they offer discounts, they can’t promise an exact date of drop-off, and they will make sure that the shipping process is easy for you.  

Now that you can identify an authentic shipper, it also helps to know the common practices of scammers out there. A fraudster will ask for 100% payment before the transit. Although some legit shippers might do this to cover overhead costs, it is not a usual practice.

A fraudster will promise an exact date of delivery if you give additional money. For real, there are too many factors that can cause delays and a shipping company will not make any such promise. Harsh weather, road conditions and mechanical problems are always to be considered. A fraudster will also give too-good-to-be true vehicle shipping rates to lure you in.

A fraudster usually prefers payment through wire transfers, MoneyGram, Western Union and escrow, and wants everything to be done online. A fraudster may be outside the United States, but not always, and so check for improper English or misspellings in their communication. A fraudster will always ask for additional payments that have not been clearly explained earlier.

It is helpful for you to know these things and other common practices of scammers. They are your signposts against being duped. Normally, there is a feeling that something is just not right as you conduct business with fraudsters. There are people you can approach to make sure you avoid being scammed. Ask your friends or relatives who may have had earlier experiences in car shipping, check out review websites, or consult the Better Business Bureau or BBB. The BBB is a group of private business organizations against scams and frauds. They give out on-line list on preferred and trusted companies. BBB aims to educate general consumers on how to avoid getting scammed in auto transport and other industries.