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Rising vehicle thefts during transport: Helpful information for auto dealers.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports a troubling increase in vehicle thefts during transport over the last few years. Organized crime groups or other thieves, posing as legitimate brokers, commit fraud by rerouting vehicles, switching VINs and reselling them to unsuspecting buyers or exporting them out of the country.

How the Scam Works

1. Posting the vehicle:

A dealer posts the vehicle they are shipping on a load board, an online marketplace dealers use to facilitate the transportation of vehicles.

2. Transport arranged:

A legitimate transport company and the dealer agree on shipping terms, including the VIN and authorized documentation.

Transport Best Practices

  • Use reputable, well-reviewed transport companies that are fully registered, bonded and insured.
  • Ensure direct shipment by the agreed transport company.
  • Install secondary GPS tracking devices on high-value vehicles.
  • Immediately file a police report of suspected theft.

3. The scam begins:

An organized crime group enters the picture, posing as a broker and using a defunct motor carrier number, a new LLC in a different state or another motor carrier’s USDOT or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration account to appear legitimate.

4. Vehicle Pickup:

The criminal company sees vehicle information on the load board and uses that data to arrange an illegal pickup.

5. Double brokering:

Using a broker account on the load board, the fake broker reposts or “double brokers” the vehicle for transport with another carrier. The second transport carrier typically does not know they are carrying a stolen vehicle.

6. Delivery to re-routed address:

The vehicle is delivered to a new address, provided by the fictitious broker, where the criminals are waiting.

Dealers often realize the vehicle has been stolen days later when they expect delivery. This delay makes it more challenging for law enforcement to recover the vehicle.

The thefts are occurring across many makes and models including high-end vehicles. These crime groups operate throughout the country and even ship vehicles overseas.

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Theft Prevention

To help avert theft, dealers should research the transport carrier using records from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) to verify the carrier.

They should confirm phone numbers of the brokers and carriers and verify all entities and phone numbers listed on the bill of lading.

Taking photos of the transport truck or trailer and the driver’s license and keeping all communications with the transport carrier helps create a strong paper trail.

Lastly, dealerships should inspect insurance certificates to verify their authenticity and confirm the transport company is listed as a certificate holder.

Information included from the National Insurance Crime Bureau was released May 2, 2025

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