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These 7 tips will help you avoid car shipping scams

These 7 tips will help you avoid car shipping scams

Shipping a car, especially during a busy season can be a bit tricky as it may be difficult to find drivers right away and at a good price. If you are shipping a car for the first time, perhaps you feel nervous as you are not sure of what questions to ask or what steps to follow. These are just some types of situations where you could become a target of car shipping scams.

As many transactions occur online, the frequency of fraud schemes tends to increase. The key to saving yourself from the hassle of dealing with the consequences of car shipping scams is to be informed and vigilant at all times. Through this post, arm yourself with the information on potential scams and ways to avoid them.

What are the different types of car shipping scams?

Fake seller

As you seek to buy a car online, you find a great deal by a seller who also offers to bake the auto shipping price into the overall vehicle cost. You enter into a deal and the seller tells you that the car is currently held by the car shipping company, giving you their website and contact info. The seller assures you that your cash will be securely held in escrow by the auto shipper, and you decide to wire the money. In fact, the car shipper’s website you were given is also created by the fake seller. There was never a car to be sold or shipped, and you just sent money in vain for a vehicle that will never arrive.

Pre-paid car shipping

This scam, as the title suggests involves a request to pay the entire car shipping cost in advance. Usually, you are either required to make a down payment and pay the rest upon delivery. However, if this is your first time shipping a car, you may easily agree to pre-pay. Ways to incentivize you are a low price and quick driver availability.  You feel tempted by an incredibly good deal and don’t want to miss out on the opportunity. You wire the money only to find out that there is no trace of the car shipping company. All was fake.

Hidden fees scam

In this case, the auto shipping company is real but their service rates are not transparent. This company may initially offer you a very low quote and then ask you to sign a contract to lock the rate. However, as it often happens, somewhere in the contract, it says that other fees may apply during the process. Eventually, you are charged additional fees which raise your costs even higher than some of the quotes you had received during your research. Yet, there isn’t much you can do, as you are already bound by the contract, and your car may have been picked up by the auto shipper. As in the previous scenario – when the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

What are some tips to avoid car shipping scams?

1. Learn to recognize the red flags

Lower than the market prices – the quote you receive is unreasonably low compared to all the other companies, especially during the busy seasons.
Absence of MDOT number and licensing information on the website.
Emails are sent from general domains such as Hotmail, for example, instead of a business domain.
No online reviews or any other information regarding the company, except for its website.
Payments via anonymous untraceable platforms such as MoneyGram or Western Union.

2. Verify the credibility of the company

You can start by checking the Department of Transportation’s website. Each shipping company has to register with the FMCSA and obtain a seven-digit USDOT Motor Carrier Number and a six-digit MC Docket number. Reliable auto transporters will have these numbers available on their website or provide them upon request. You can consult FMCSA for the company’s reliability and safety records.

3. Verify the company’s contact information

Verify the phone number and office location of the company by either calling, checking with Google Maps, or asking a friend to check it out in person in case they live nearby.

4. Check online reviews

Read online reviews from Google, Yelp, Facebook, TrustPilot, or ask friends and colleagues if they have heard of this car shipper.

5. Pay attention to paperwork details

Read any contract and terms and conditions before you contract the car shipping services and pay a deposit. Confirm that there are no additional or hidden fees.

6. Get the driver’s contact

Speak directly with the driver to get information on the shipping status of your car.

7. Inquire about the means of payment

Always ask to pay using verifiable means such as bank transfers, checks, or credit cards.

Although anyone can become a victim of a scam, you can reduce your chances by following these tips. For more information and tips on how to stay safe from car shipping scams, you can also check this post.

You can also call us at Corsia Logistics and our logistics experts will answer any car shipping questions you may have. After years of operating in the car shipping industry, we know how much your car means to you. Our five-star reviews reflect our quality of service, transparency, and professionalism. Contact us anytime to get advice and your free, no-obligation quote.

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Simon Moore
Great company
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Looking for a logistics company, to ship my car, from California to Illinois,my first search, then Corsia showed up, skeptical. Call and a very friendly secretary: Elena. She guided me through, I scheduled and as she explained, all when smooth as scheduled Very happy I did the right choice. I'll recommend this great Company to anyone that is thinking to relocate a vehicle. Thanks Corsia logistics for your honesty and professionalism!
Elizabeth Woodward
High five's all around!
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Corsia was highly recommended by a friend in the automobile industry. We needed to transport a cargo van from Seattle to Florida. We contacted Corsia who quickly arranged transport within just a few days. Communication was outstanding! Just a few email confirmations and we were all set. Mike was great and arrived right on time and delivered to Florida on schedule. Tip-avoid the hornets nest of auto brokers on line and just contact Corsia for a truly great experience!
Carrol Tiffany
Amazing
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Corsia has been amazing. Their prices are really competitive but more importantly their customer service has been 5-Star. Elena followed up with me every step of the way, making sure there was no miscommunication between me & the driver. We are using them to ship a 2nd vehicle & would not hesitate to use them again!
Tony Boyd
Definitely recommend
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I have recently used Corsia for long time family car with sentimental value that was moved I have recently used Corsia for shipment of my vehicle from Oregon to Arizona by recommendation from other family member who also used Corsia in the past. I am very pleased on the service and the communication throughout shipment. Ken was my direct contact and kept me informed along the move The car was picked up and delivered as communicated. I did use a enclosed mover and the driver was also clean cut professional and treated car as his own. I would definitely recommend Corsia again with the experience I have had. Thank you. T
JW
Top notch
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Top notch Transport - Porsche 997 Top notch! As easy and efficient as one could possibly imagine. Great customer service.. thank you Luke. Great prices. Check. Timely communications. Check. Clean transport trailer. Check. Supremely careful driver. Check. Timely arrival. Check. Don't mess around elsewhere, just call Corsica and feel confident your transports needs are going to be exceeded. My Porsche 911 rode like a Queen in her enclosed chariot. I've never needed a transport company before, and I surely will use them every time. Do yourself a favor, seriously. Call now.
Geet Mp Haryana
Reliable, efficient
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Corsia rep (Elena) was very proactive. Helped ship a car from CA to GA. She checked in with me via email quote and several phone calls to find me the best possible quote for the fastest available service. After several communications, Corsia was able to schedule a vehicle pickup the next day. The driver communicated well, and the vehicle arrived in final destination faster than we expected in perfect condition. I highly recommend using Corsia's reliable, efficient service.
Cay Liptak
Clean, efficient, wonderful
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Thanks, Corsia! Pickup was so clean, efficient, and wonderful -- my only recommendation is to make sure you schedule it during the day so you can fully review the car in the daylight. Drop off was equally wonderful, and the whole trip went down without a hitch (pun intended!). Seriously, Corsia delivered my Jeep from CT to California with no issues or bumps in the road!
Csaba Kovesdy
Truly positive experience
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Corsia Memphis to LA, mid-size SUV. I looked at 4 different companies amd Corsia was the most responsive of them. While being responsive, they were not unduly aggressive: when I indicated that I need to wait a month before making a decision they stopped contacting me and only came back with a reminder when I really needed it. Once I decided to engage Corsia they found me a transport within two days and the car was delivered (from Memphis to LA) in another two days. I had a truly positive experience.
Kelly Torres
Highly recommend
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Working with Corsia Logistics was a great experience. Working with Corsia Logistics was wonderful. They were able to find a driver right away to transport our car. They were in constant communication as to when the car was getting picked up and dropped off. The driver also communicated with me as to when he would arrive. I would highly recommend Corsia Logistics.
Amy Nelson
Excellent Organization
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Corsia was an excellent company to work with while I transferred my car across the US. A friend of mine suggested I use them as they had been very organized and trustworthy with her own car. I researched a few different place but decided to go with Corsia and I'm so glad I did! Any questions I had throughout the process they answered quickly and clearly. I would definitely use them again in the future and recommend them for others to use.
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