Cash to the driver
Cash to the driver is sometimes the balance the contract says to pay at delivery. It is also a common pressure move. Pay only the company named in the contract, get a receipt, and confirm the carrier's authority first.
Some contracts tell the carrier to collect the balance in cash or a certified check at delivery. That can be a normal COD payment. It is legitimate only when the amount matches the contract, the payee is the carrier or the broker named in the paperwork, and you get a receipt with that business name, the VIN, and the date. Look up the carrier's MC or USDOT number first, and confirm active authority for the role that company is playing.
When to stop
Stop if the amount is higher than the contract and the car is being held until you pay the new number. Stop if the payee is a personal name that is not the company. Stop if there is no bill of lading. A cash demand plus a missing docket is not a normal COD delivery. Write down the amount, the name the driver gives, and the truck's numbers. Call the company on your confirmation.
RideShipper cannot collect this payment and cannot vouch for the driver. The contract and the federal record can.