Protecting Customers and Carriers: How Bigfella Auto Express Handles Payment Fraud Attempts

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Our Security Protocols and Why They Matter in the Auto Transport Industry

The auto transport industry requires trust, documentation, and clear communication at every step. Customers trust us with their vehicles—often worth tens of thousands of dollars—and carriers rely on us to ensure they are paid accurately and on time. Because of this, payment security is not optional. It is absolutely critical.

Recently, Bigfella Auto Express encountered a situation involving an attempted misuse of our payment system. This incident highlights why we maintain strict policies, why verification procedures exist, and how we protect both our clients and carrier partners from fraud.

This blog is here to educate shippers, dealerships, and carriers on how we prevent issues before they become real problems.

Understanding the Issue: The Attempted Payment Fraud

During a routine transport, a customer submitted a signed credit card authorization form, confirming the cardholder name, billing address, and card number. Our team reviewed and approved the documentation.

However, the customer then attempted to pay with a completely different credit card ending in 8718—one that did not match the signed authorization form of card ending in 3518.

This is a red flag in any industry, especially in logistics, where chargebacks, stolen card usage, and identity fraud are common risks.

Using a different card than the one authorized is considered:

• A violation of our payment terms

• A security risk to our company and carriers

• A potential act of credit card fraud

Because of these inconsistencies, we followed our established fraud prevention procedures.

What Bigfella Auto Express Did Immediately

We handled the issue exactly as our policies and industry best practices require:

1. We cancelled the mismatched card payment

The payment attempt did not match the authorization form, so it was immediately voided for security reasons.

2. We transitioned the customer to Cash on Delivery (COD)

This is standard protocol when a credit card verification fails. COD protects:

• The carrier

• The broker (us)

• The customer’s vehicle from being delayed or held

COD ensures the transport continues without risk of a disputed or fraudulent card payment.

3. We documented the issue

Internal documentation is required for all security-related incidents so we have accurate records for the carrier, the client, and our insurance partners.

4. We notified law enforcement

When a payment attempt contains misleading or fraudulent elements, we are obligated to file a report. This is for compliance and to protect our business and carriers from financial harm.

5. We continued the transport

The customer’s vehicle remained in active delivery status, because our priority is always completing the transport safely and professionally.

Why These Procedures Are Necessary

Auto transport brokers nationwide experience thousands of dollars in lost payments each year due to:

• Chargebacks

• Stolen card usage

• False disputes

• Unauthorized card use

Fraud not only hurts the company—it harms carriers, who often drive 1,000–2,000 miles before discovering that the customer reversed the payment.

Our strict payment verification process exists to prevent exactly this.

What Customers Should Know Moving Forward

Bigfella Auto Express will always:

• Verify identity before accepting credit card payments

• Require matching authorization forms and payment methods

• Transition to COD when inconsistencies appear

• Protect carriers from unpaid or fraudulent transactions

• Continue delivery without unnecessary delay

These policies protect both the honest customer and the professional drivers who work hard to transport vehicles safely across the country.

Auto Transport Fraud Is Real — And We Take It Seriously

This recent incident serves as a reminder that the auto shipping industry requires strong security systems. Bigfella Auto Express remains committed to:

• Secure payments

• Clear communication

• Protecting our carriers

• Protecting our legitimate customers

• Maintaining industry-leading compliance

Our goal is always to deliver vehicles safely, professionally, and without complications—and strong fraud prevention is a key part of that mission.

Need Secure, Professional Car Shipping?

Trust a company that takes integrity and payment security seriously.

Bigfella Auto Express
support@bigfellaautoexpress.com
www.bigfellaautoexpress.com