There are plenty of auto transport companies out there. But, choosing the right one is not the easier process in the world, especially with scammers waiting to take your money. Luckily, we’ve compiled several tips to prevent that from happening.
Here’s what you should know:
Confirm the Company’s Physical Address
Phantom companies are companies that misrepresent themselves to be auto transport companies with an aim of making you send them your money or your car and they disappear. Such companies conceal their identities, give fake names, use temporary phone numbers, and have fake or almost imaginary addresses. Another simple way of affirming the authenticity of a company is to ensure that their physical address is accurate.
Navigate to Google Maps and input the address provided by the company to verify the correctness of the location. Unless you are able to visit the place, try to get pictures of their units or facilities and/or their trucks. Genuine companies will also have an actual physical address while fraudulent companies work from rented or virtual business addresses. Check out relevant info here https://www.voanews.com/a/scammers-swipe-billions-from-americans-every-year-many-getting-away-with-it/7688529.html.
Verify Licensing and Registration
Again, as earlier elaborated, prospective auto transport companies need to have a DOT number and an FMCSA issued MC number. Such registrations show that the company complies with certain legal requirements and is allowed to operate. Ensuring that a company is licensed and registered is a crucial step in avoiding being associated with fraudulent individuals.
The first step is to go to the FMCSA’s website and use the search tool to enter the company’s name. Type the company’s USDOT number or MC number to check their compliance status and find out more about their safety record. This means that if you come across a company that is not registered or one that has a record of violation, it is advisable to search for another service provider. Discover more here.
Be Careful of Brokers Misrepresenting Themselves
Most auto transport companies are brokers. This means that they do not own vehicles but rather they hook you up with the actual carriers. A few brokers may deceive you into thinking that they own and operate the transport trucks, despite being jus brokers. This can lead to confusion and other complications in case of any arising complications in the shipping process.
To avoid this, the client should ask the company in question whether it is a broker or a carrier. If they are a broker, ask questions about the carrier that will be used and their USDOT/MC numbers. This information should then be crosschecked with the FMCSA to confirm the authenticity of the carrier and its performance history.
Familiarity with pick-up and delivery can reassure you and guarantee you a safe transport. When contacting reputable companies, they will guide you on what is expected of you and ensure you are updated. They should give you a pickup window and share with you the details of the driver who will be transporting your car.
Understand the Pickup and Delivery Process
When you pick your car, check its exterior and interior condition and be sure to take photographs from different angles. This will be vital if at some point in the future, you will need to seek compensation for damages. Make sure the driver shows you a Bill of Lading, which is a receipt for the car and a document agreeing to the condition of the vehicle at the time of pickup.
Therefore, before signing for the delivery of your vehicle, take time to look for any other signs of damage and compare with the photos taken before pickup. If there are problems, write down the details and inform the company’s support for a prompt resolution.
Avoid Being Pressured into Accepting an Offer
Another tactic commonly used by scammers is to try and get you to make an instant decision and not think twice. They may say that the low quote is only for a limited number of days or that they have many requests a day, so you should book instantly. This pressure simply discourages you from doing your research or exploring other possibilities.
In order to avoid being scammed by such companies, a person should take his/her time and compare different companies before selecting one. A professional company will appreciate the need to make a sound decision and will not put pressure on you to make a hasty one. If you keep feeling pressured, it’s basically a red flag and you should move on to the next company.
Ask for Referrals
There are plenty of Auto Transport Scams to Watch Out For so referrals from loved ones can go a long way. Seek suggestions from people you trust and take into consideration the stories they tell. Friends and family can give you recommendations that can save you from scammers.
Also, try to join some online communities related to auto transport services. Most of these communities have members who can refer you to some of the best companies out there. Speaking with other people that have gone through the process can be beneficial.
Karen Altizer is a seasoned professional with a wealth of expertise in marketing and communications, adept at crafting compelling narratives and strategic messages tailored to various stakeholders.