How do I check if a car shipping company is legitimate?

Look up its USDOT or MC number on the FMCSA company snapshot, confirm the name and phone match, check that authority is active, and read recent reviews and complaints.

How do I report a car shipping company?

Use the Report a Company form to share what happened. We review every report before publishing a summary, and you should also file with FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database.

Does Haulwide call companies scams?

No. We publish reviewed summaries of customer reports and a review status. Deciding whether a company broke the law is for regulators and courts.

Is my information kept private?

Yes. We never publish your name, contact details or the evidence you upload. Reports appear only as paraphrased summaries.

What are the most common car shipping scams?

Large upfront payments followed by no pickup, bait-and-switch pricing, fake or borrowed USDOT numbers and vehicles held for extra money.

Scam Watch

Learn the most common car shipping scams, check reviewed customer reports and verify a company before you pay a deposit.

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Check a company before you book

Look up the USDOT or MC number and confirm the company is licensed and insured.

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Common car shipping scams

How they work and how to spot them early.

All scam types

Took payment, no pickup
A large deposit is paid, then no truck ever arrives.
Warning signs
Bait-and-switch pricing
A low quote wins the booking, then the price jumps.
Warning signs
Fake or borrowed credentials
A company uses someone else's USDOT or MC number.
Warning signs
Unauthorized re-brokering
Your car is handed to an unknown third party.
Warning signs
Vehicle held for more money
The car isn't released until extra fees are paid.
Warning signs
Fake sale and shipping scams
A car for sale online "is already with the shipper".
Warning signs
Hidden fees
Extra charges appear that were never quoted.
Warning signs
Damage claims denied
Damage happens in transit, but no one takes responsibility.
Warning signs

How reports are reviewed

Fair to customers and to companies.

Report receivedYou submit what happened. Your contact details and evidence stay private.
Checked by reviewersWe check dates, payments and paperwork for consistency and match the company to FMCSA records.
Company can respondThe company is invited to reply before anything is published.
Published summaryA paraphrased summary is published without names, contact details or evidence.

Scam Watch summarizes customer reports. It isn't a legal finding about any company.

Scam Watch resources

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a car shipping company is legitimate?
Look up its USDOT or MC number on the FMCSA company snapshot, confirm the name and phone match, check that authority is active, and read recent reviews and complaints.
Verify a company
How do I report a car shipping company?
Use the Report a Company form to share what happened. We review every report before publishing a summary, and you should also file with FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database.
Report a company
Does Haulwide call companies scams?
No. We publish reviewed summaries of customer reports and a review status. Deciding whether a company broke the law is for regulators and courts.
Editorial policy

Is my information kept private?
Yes. We never publish your name, contact details or the evidence you upload. Reports appear only as paraphrased summaries.
What are the most common car shipping scams?
Large upfront payments followed by no pickup, bait-and-switch pricing, fake or borrowed USDOT numbers and vehicles held for extra money.
Common car shipping scams

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