Shipping a classic car overseas should be an exciting milestone—not an expensive nightmare. Unfortunately, car shipping scams have surged alongside the booming classic-car market, targeting buyers, sellers, and owners eager to ship their prized vehicles across borders. This guide reveals exactly how scammers operate, explains the red flags most people overlook, and shares actionable tips to spot fraud before any money—or your beloved classic car—changes hands.
West Coast Shipping fields calls every week from customers who nearly lost deposits or even entire vehicles to fake shipping companies and phony escrow “agents.” By learning how these frauds work, you’ll protect your investment, avoid costly delays, and enjoy true peace of mind as your car travels safely to its overseas destination.
1. How Do Classic Car Shipping Scams Work?
2. Does the “Too-Good-to-Be-True” Deal Always Mean Trouble?
3. What Website Clues Expose a Fake Car-Shipping Company?
4. Why Should You Never Pay by Western Union or Gift Card?
5. How Can You Verify a Shipper’s USDOT License and Bond?
6. Should You Trust an Email Claiming ‘Free Overseas Transport’?
7. How Do Fraudsters Fake Bills of Lading and Insurance Documents?
8. What Safe-Payment Methods Protect Your Deposit?
9. How Does Choosing a Reputable Shipper Stop the Scam Cycle?
10. Where to Report Suspected Scams—And How West Coast Shipping Can Help
Most car shipping scams follow a three-step pattern:
Hook – A scammer advertises a dream-priced classic car or unbelievably cheap overseas transport on a slick-looking website.
Pressure – They demand rapid payment “to secure the deal” and insist on obscure wire transfers.
Ghost – Once the money lands, the seller, agent, or “shipping company” disappears, leaving the buyer with no vehicle, no shipment, and no direct contact.
Because real car shipping involves large sums, complex documentation, and distant destination ports, fraudsters know they can hide behind the process. Understanding each stage helps you stop a scam before it empties your bank account.
A low-mileage Mustang Fastback listed for half market price or a promise to ship any vehicle to Europe for just $450 should raise a red flag. Classic-car values are easy to research. If a deal sits 30 percent below the market—especially with no recent inspection report—it’s likely bait for a scam.
Scam sites copy logos from legitimate shipping companies but cut corners:
No physical address—only a contact form or Gmail.
Broken phone number—calls reroute to voicemail or disconnect.
Stock images—reverse-search a “warehouse” photo on Google and find it belongs to a furniture dealer.
No USDOT or FMC numbers—every U.S. ocean forwarder must list them on the website.
Cross-check credentials on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration portal. If the MC# or USDOT# is missing, invalid, or registered just weeks ago, walk away.
Western Union, MoneyGram, and gift-card codes are scammers’ favorites because the cash is untraceable. Genuine shipping companies take credit cards, bank wires to corporate accounts, or PayPal business invoices tied to a verified address. A request for “urgent payment via Western Union to our agent in another country” is a near-certain scam.
Every interstate carrier and broker must hold:
USDOT number – proves FMCSA registration.
MC number – identifies operating authority.
Surety bond – minimum $75,000 protection for the customer.
Enter those numbers at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov or view the Federal Maritime Commission’s OTI database for ocean freight forwarders. Absence of an active bond means you’ll have no recourse if the shipment vanishes.
Scammers blanket enthusiast forums and eBay ads with messages offering “free global delivery” if you place a deposit today. The email usually:
Lacks a corporate domain (think hotmail.com).
Misspells common shipping terms.
Copies terms from well-known shipping process FAQs but removes the company’s name.
Legit firms publish transparent rate tables and formal quotes on letterhead. They never attach random PDF invoices without a prior phone consult.
Modern software lets scammers duplicate a bill of lading or insurance certificate in minutes. Spot fakes by:
Contacting the underwriter—call the insurer listed; many fakes use made-up policy numbers.
Comparing port codes—scammers may list “Port of New York” but forget the correct UN/LOCODE.
Checking shipment dates—a car cannot sail yesterday if you booked today.
Our bill-of-lading explainer shows the exact fields that must match your booking.
Credit card—charge-back rights if a company fails to provide service.
Escrow.com automotive service—funds release only after delivery.
Bank wire to a long-established corporate account—verify the account name equals the licensed entity.
Never wire to a personal bank account. If a dealer or shipping company lists mismatched beneficiary details, cancel immediately.
A vetted shipper like West Coast Shipping:
Lists USDOT, FMC, and bond info prominently.
Provides customer references and real warehouse addresses.
Issues itemized quotes, not vague “all-in” numbers hiding surprise fee s.
Supplies high-resolution photos of your vehicle in the warehouse** before and after loading.
Our team also confirms the seller’s identity and title validity when arranging inland pickup—a free extra layer of fraud protection.
If you spot or fall victim to a car shipping scam:
File an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Alert your bank to halt outgoing wires.
Report fraudulent FMC numbers to the Federal Maritime Commission.
Post warnings on enthusiast forums to block future victims.
West Coast Shipping routinely assists law enforcement by supplying documentation that traces fraudulent listings. If you’re unsure about a website or deal, contact our compliance desk for a complimentary credibility check.
Verify USDOT/FMC numbers and surety bonds on official databases.
Reject requests for payment via Western Union, gift card, or personal wire.
Cross-check phone numbers, physical addresses, and website domain ages.
Scrutinize bills of lading and insurance certificates—call the issuer.
Insist on high-resolution warehouse photos before wiring a balance.
Use escrow or credit cards for deposits; never rush a transfer.
Work with established, licensed shipping companies such as West Coast Shipping to arrange safe global transport.
Ready to ship your classic car without stressing over scams? Use our instant calculator below for transparent rates, licensed carrier details, and the full protections only West Coast Shipping provides.