Who is liable?

First I'm not in the trucking business.

I sold a piece of heavy machinery to an of state buyer to which the buyer asked me to pay for the hauling. I used a website to solicit bids. I chose a bidder with positive reviews and a website that shows DOT numbers and MC numbers and a google search shows the company has 3 trucks. As I have found out later the company I chose turned around and rebooked my load on another website through a different company name. A truck shows up and hauls my load away and everything is delivered. I get an invoice from the company I chose thru the website and I pay it. I have receipts.

3 months later I get a call from a debt collection agency saying the company that booked to the carrier did not pay the carrier. And is no longer in business. Also the company I contracted thru is also out of business since apparently they are the same person with multiple business names. I say sorry I paid and he says I'm still liable.

Bill of lading indicates where the machine was located naming my business and address. But it does Not list me as the shipper. It also list the buyer of the machine and his address and as consigned to. And he has signed the Bill of Lading. I don't think I have ever seen the Bill of Lading and my signature is not on it.

How much power does the debt collector have and am I liable. I don't feel like I should have to pay twice.

 

No. Veritread.com I talked to veritread and they say the bidder I chose was only listed as a carrier and not as a broker.