There are many stories online about auto transport fraud. And while the vast majority of auto transport happens as planned, it is worth taking a few steps to make sure the auto transport company you are working with is legitimate.
3 Steps to Ensure Your Auto Transporter is Legitimate
- Check their MC Number – Auto transporters are required to be licensed by the US Department of Transportation. Ask the auto transport company for their MC Number. Then visit the DOT web site
to check that it is a valid number. Enter the MC number under Docket Number and click on Report to see their details. It should say that their Broker Authority is Active.
- Check with the Better Business Bureau – While auto transport companies are not required to be members of the BBB, individuals can still register complaints about companies with which they have had problems. Even if it is a legitimate company, it is still a good idea to see if there are any complaints registered against the company and the type of complaint.
- Online search for company name – Individuals often report scams and problem companies to various online sites. So, a Google search can help you to find if these companies have complaints registered against them. Just be careful that it is a real complaint, and a single complaint is typically not a reason for not doing business with a company. You want to look for a pattern of problems.
By following these simple steps, you can ship your vehicle confident that you are working with a legitimate auto transport company. MoveCars.com provides a selection of auto transport companies
that can help you with your auto transport needs.
When shipping a vehicle, you may also want to read our post on Preparing for Auto Transport Pickup
.