Outright fraud in auto transport is less common than the internet suggests. What is common is a legitimate company using a quote that was never achievable, which feels like being cheated without being illegal.
Both are worth guarding against, and the same few checks catch both.
The reliable signal is not price. It is whether a company will state its federal authority and its insurance verification process plainly when asked.
The Real Warning Signs
No USDOT or MC number given on request. Every legitimate broker and carrier has one and will say it immediately. Ours are USDOT #3117533 and MC #86120, and anyone’s can be checked in the FMCSA public database.
Pressure to pay upfront to hold a slot. A deposit is not required to book with us. Urgency about payment is the most reliable fraud indicator there is.
Payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift card. No legitimate transport company asks for these. This single signal catches most actual fraud.
A quote far below every other quote. Usually not fraud. Usually a load that will sit unassigned until the price is renegotiated.
No written condition report process. If a company cannot explain how damage is documented, there is nothing to hold it to.
A guaranteed delivery date. Nobody can guarantee one across a multi-vehicle continental route.
No verifiable address, or a name that keeps changing.
Checks Worth Doing
Look up the authority. FMCSA’s public database shows whether a company’s authority is active and in good standing.
Ask the insurance question directly. Do you verify the assigned carrier’s cargo policy before collection? Listen for a yes.
Read complaints for pattern, not volume. Timing complaints are normal in transport. Complaints about money taken and no vehicle collected are not.
Confirm the payment path before booking. Legitimate companies accept ordinary commercial payment methods.
Keep everything in writing. A verbal assurance is worth very little if something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a request for a deposit always a scam?
No, some legitimate companies take them. We do not require one, and urgency around upfront payment is still the strongest warning sign.
How common is outright fraud?
Less common than forums imply. Unrealistic quoting is the far more frequent problem.
What if I have already paid and cannot reach anyone?
Contact your payment provider immediately, then file a complaint with the FMCSA. Speed matters.
Does a professional website mean a company is legitimate?
No. Websites are cheap. Federal authority is checkable.
Is the lowest quote a scam?
Usually not. It is usually a number that will not move your vehicle, which is a different problem with a similar cost.
Why Ship With Tempus Logix
Tempus Logix is a licensed and bonded auto transport broker, USDOT #3117533 and MC #86120, and BBB accredited. Every carrier we assign is vetted and its insurance verified before a vehicle is collected, and vehicle owners carry a zero deductible on covered damage.
First-time shippers deserve a quote that holds. We price loads at a rate carriers actually accept, explain what the figure covers before you commit, and tell you plainly when a date looks tight, rather than booking it and renegotiating later.
New to this? Start with our first-time car shipping guide.
Related Guides
Next in this cluster:
- How to Choose a Car Shipping Company
- Questions to Ask Car Shipping Companies
- How to Read Car Shipping Quotes
- Car Shipping Contract Review Guide
- Common First-Time Mistakes
Need a vehicle moved? Get a free quote with our auto transport quote calculator or call a transport coordinator at +1 (866) 607-8459.