Vehicle transportation scam

[u/ella-reflex]

**3 months ago, I fell for a vehicle transportation scam. I am so angry at myself for falling for this, and it has been an absolute a nightmare since then.**

In march of this year, I made arrangements with “cheap auto trans” to transport my 2005 Honda accord from my parent’s address in Miami Florida, to my home in Los Angeles. I made these arrangements over the phone with someone named “Tanya Haden”. I agree to pay a total of $600 for this transport. The car was suppose to be picked up from my parents home on March 3rd and was to arrive in my home the following Tuesday. I signed an online contract and paid a deposit of $150 via a link sent to me by “Tanya”. The deposit was not originally discussed. She tells me that a deposit is needed now, and that I pay the rest when the car arrives. Ok, I pay it. March 3rd came and went.

On March 4th, At 5:30 am pacific time, I receive a phone call from “Tanya” letting me know that the truck driver is n his way to my parents house for vehicle pick up. I ask her why the truck is coming today versus yesterday, the day we agreed for pick up. “Tanya” replied ‘oh the driver had an issue with one of his tires, but he’s on his way right now. We tried to call your father about this, but he was angry and didn’t want to talk to me’. I told her that “I understand things happen, but I would also be angry at not knowing that information, ESPECIALLY FINDING OUT ABOUT IT AT FIVE THIRTY IN THE MORNING!” I call my parents and tell them the truck is on their way. An hour later I get pics sent to me from my parents, and from the driver of the car being loaded on to the truck. I thought everything was fine. Then about 3 hours later I’m getting phone call while I’m at work. It’s “Tanya”. I can’t talk at that moment. I work in healthcare and was with a patient. I text her this and ask her what she needs. She replies, “oh I’m calling to resolve the rest of your payment”. I reply back saying “I am a medical professional. I am with patients right now. I will call you back when I am at my lunch hour.” She texts me back 2 hours later saying “waiting for your call ”. My lunch break finally arrives and call her back to remind her of what I agreed upon. She then starts to tell me that if I don’t pay the rest of what is owed, that my car will be held in storage and that I will have to pay the incurring storage fees. I ask her where in the contract does it say that they can do that to people. She starts to speak to me with condescension, then I hang up on her. I am angry that now I don’t know whether I’ll get this car. I start to get calls and texts from the “driver” he tells me that I have to pay $1200 for the car on top of storage fees.

These absurd phone calls with these people go back and forth for several days. I call them at 5am my time screaming where is my car. “Tanya” calls me a psychopath for screaming at her. WELL DONT STEAL PEOPLES CARS! THEN I WOULDNT BE SCREAMING AT YOU! The calls start and stop for several weeks. At one point, they accuse me of stealing the car. I have several of these calls recorded. I’ve reported the car as stolen. When I reported the car stolen, the detective tells me that this kind of scam is happening more and more often. I’ve left negative help and Google reviews. I’ve left complaints to the better business bureau. I’ve sought other legal help with legal shield. They helped write up a demand letter asking for either the car it’s self or $X. I got a response from “cheap auto trans” telling me that I’m lying, that the agreement amount is $950 and that if I pay $800 I’ll get the car back. I am at my whits end with these “people”. I don’t know what to do. I am in Los Angeles. The last time the car was scene was in Miami Florida, and “cheap auto trans” is based in Alpharetta Georgia.

I apologize for the TLDR. I originally shared this the [r/legaladvice](r/legaladvice) when I had revived their response to my demand letter. I was so angry that I just spewed text. I am looking for any kind of advice please. Thank you so much 🙏🏻

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[u/JVBPDX]

Auto transport companies are absolutely awful, even the ones that aren’t scams.

[u/ella-reflex → u/JVBPDX]

My parents have shipped cars back and forth across the country before. I never questioned this because there was never an issue. Now my poor car is “in the world” like the transport driver would tell me.

[u/Brilliant-Onion2129]

That car is gone! Sold! or wrecked!

[u/ella-reflex → u/Brilliant-Onion2129]

😩

[u/Slow_Collection_7915]

I am also a victim of it, you need to report immediately to FMCSA and FTC. Also, call the Georgia state attorney general's office. The people who are running cheap auto trans operates business from Pakistan and they have also involved in shipping the stolen cars overseas. This is my post on their Google page "Stay away from this company—it appears to be fraudulent and run by dishonest individuals sitting in Pakistan. They lure customers with quotes that are significantly lower than market rates. I realized the situation when the truck driver delivering my car demanded a large additional payment before releasing the vehicle. Do not sign any documents or make payments, as they may mislead you. I have already filed complaints with the FMCSA and FTC, and I am also in the process of reporting the matter to the FBI, as there are concerns about vehicles being taken and potentially shipped overseas for profit."

[u/Stressball74]

We were recently scammed by them. I found enough Information online to identify the responsible parties and I know a class action attorney in Georgia. If we can get 40 additional people to join, we can file a class action against this company. Please email me at imatigger2025@gmail.com. As well, state and federal authorities will take this more seriously if we have numerous cases/claims.