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The moving industry has higher fraud rates than many other service industries. Rogue movers, bait-and-switch pricing, and held-hostage situations occur regularly. Understanding common scams and red flags helps consumers avoid becoming victims. Verification and due diligence are essential when hiring movers.

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Common Moving Scams

How it works:
  • Mover gives extremely low estimate
  • You book based on attractive price
  • On moving day, price increases dramatically
  • Your belongings are on the truck when they demand more money
Result: Pay inflated price or have belongings held hostage.
How it works:
  • Mover loads your belongings
  • At destination (or during transit), demands more money
  • Refuses to unload until you pay
  • May threaten to sell or store your items
Result: Pay ransom or lose belongings.
How it works:
  • Mover takes deposit
  • Never shows up on moving day
  • Phone disconnected, can’t be reached
  • Company doesn’t actually exist
Result: Lost deposit, scramble for last-minute alternative.
How it works:
  • Long-distance move priced by weight
  • Mover inflates weight through fake weighing
  • May weigh truck with extra items or people
  • You pay for weight you don’t have
Result: Overpay based on fraudulent weight.
How it works:
  • Items disappear during move
  • Damage blamed on you (“packed by owner”)
  • Claims denied or underpaid
  • Items replaced with inferior substitutes
Result: Lost or damaged items with no recourse.
How it works:
  • Company creates fake positive reviews
  • Buries negative reviews
  • Uses fake names and review patterns
  • Appears reputable when it isn’t
Result: You hire based on false reputation.
If your belongings are held hostage, don’t pay inflated amounts. Document everything, contact FMCSA, local police, and consider legal action. Paying ransom rewards the scam.

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Red Flags

Legitimate companies have physical locations.Red flags:
  • Only PO box or mail drop
  • No address provided
  • Address doesn’t exist
  • Located in residential area without warehouse
What to do: Verify address exists and is appropriate for moving company.
Interstate movers must have USDOT and MC numbers.Red flags:
  • Won’t provide license numbers
  • Numbers don’t verify
  • Numbers belong to different company
  • No insurance on file
What to do: Verify at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before booking.
Reputable movers require minimal upfront payment.Red flags:
  • Demands large deposit (over 20-30%)
  • Cash only
  • Non-refundable deposit
  • Full payment before delivery
What to do: Walk away from demands for large cash deposits.
Extremely low estimates usually mean problems.Red flags:
  • 30-50% below other estimates
  • Too good to be true pricing
  • Won’t explain how they’re cheaper
What to do: Ask why the price is so different. Be suspicious.
All estimates should be in writing with detail.Red flags:
  • Verbal-only estimate
  • Refuses to provide written document
  • Vague or incomplete estimate
  • Estimate on non-company letterhead
What to do: Require detailed written estimate before booking.
Significant moves require proper assessment.Red flags:
  • Estimates without seeing belongings
  • Refuses to do in-home survey
  • Phone-only estimate for large move
What to do: Insist on visual assessment for moves over a few thousand dollars.
Contracts should be complete before signing.Red flags:
  • Blank spaces in contract
  • Asked to sign incomplete documents
  • Documents don’t match verbal agreement
  • Missing terms and conditions
What to do: Never sign blank or incomplete documents.
Legitimate movers answer specific questions.Red flags:
  • Won’t provide company history
  • Can’t name trucks/equipment
  • Evasive about employees
  • Multiple company names
What to do: Ask detailed questions. Legitimate companies answer readily.

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How to Verify a Mover

For interstate moves:
  1. Get USDOT number from mover
  2. Visit safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
  3. Search by USDOT or MC number
  4. Verify:
    • Operating authority is active
    • Insurance is current
    • Safety rating
    • Complaint history
For local/intrastate moves:
  • Check with state transportation department
  • Verify state-required licensing
  • Check secretary of state business filing
Requirements vary by state. Some states have no requirements.
Confirm mover has required insurance:
  • FMCSA shows insurance status for interstate
  • Ask for certificate of insurance
  • Verify policy is current
  • Check coverage amounts
Investigate the company:
  • Website should have detailed information
  • Physical address should verify
  • Phone should be answered professionally
  • Look for consistent company name and branding
  • Check domain age (very new may be suspicious)
Check complaint history:
  • FMCSA complaint database
  • Better Business Bureau
  • Google reviews
  • Yelp reviews
  • State consumer protection agency
Look for patterns, not just individual complaints.
Request recent customer references:
  • Contact references directly
  • Ask about their experience
  • Verify move details
  • Ask if they’d use company again
Legitimate companies provide references readily.
Even well-reviewed companies can have problems. Verify licensing, get written estimates, and pay attention to red flags regardless of reviews.

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Protecting Yourself

Document everything:
  • Written estimate with all details
  • Signed contract with complete terms
  • Inventory list at pickup
  • Condition notes
  • Delivery receipt
  • Payment receipts
Credit cards provide protection:
  • Can dispute charges
  • Fraud protection
  • Chargeback rights
  • Documentation of payment
Never pay cash or wire transfer. Use credit card when possible.
Interstate moves have federal protections:
  • Must receive “Your Rights and Responsibilities” booklet
  • Binding estimates cannot increase (except added services)
  • Non-binding: Pay no more than 110% at delivery
  • 9 months to file claims
  • Arbitration available
Request rights booklet if not provided.
Create visual documentation:
  • Before: Condition of all items
  • Loading: Items going on truck
  • Delivery: Condition at arrival
  • Damage: Any problems found
Photos are essential for claims.
Attend loading and delivery:
  • Watch handling of belongings
  • Verify inventory
  • Note any concerns immediately
  • Don’t sign until you’ve inspected

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What to Do If Scammed

  1. Document the situation (in writing, photos, video)
  2. Don’t pay inflated amounts if possible
  3. File police report
  4. Contact FMCSA immediately
  5. Contact state attorney general
  6. Consider attorney
  7. File complaint with BBB
This is illegal. Report it.
For interstate moves:
  • Online: nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov
  • Phone: 1-888-DOT-SAFT (368-7238)
Include:
  • Company information
  • USDOT/MC numbers
  • Detailed description
  • Documentation
  • Financial loss
  • State attorney general (consumer protection)
  • State transportation department
  • State consumer affairs office
Varies by state. Search “[state] consumer protection complaint.”
  • Better Business Bureau
  • Federal Trade Commission
  • American Moving and Storage Association
  • Local consumer advocacy groups
If you paid by credit card:
  • Contact card company
  • Dispute the charges
  • Provide documentation
  • Follow dispute procedures
Act quickly. Time limits apply.

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Lead Generation Sites

Some websites collect moving requests and sell leads to movers.Process:
  • You enter move details
  • Site sells your info to multiple movers
  • Movers contact you (often aggressively)
  • Site earns fee per lead
  • Your information sold to unknown parties
  • May include unvetted movers
  • Aggressive sales calls
  • Prices may be inflated to cover lead cost
  • Site doesn’t guarantee quality
Instead of lead sites:
  • Research companies directly
  • Verify licensing yourself
  • Contact companies directly
  • Read reviews from multiple sources
  • Get estimates from companies you choose

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Broker vs Carrier

Moving brokers arrange transportation but don’t perform moves.
  • Take your booking
  • Subcontract to actual moving company
  • May have little control over service
  • You may not know who’s actually moving you
  • Less accountability
  • Price changes when carrier assigned
  • Quality varies by subcontractor
  • Harder to resolve problems
  • May be unlicensed
Ask directly: “Will your company perform the move, or do you use subcontractors?”Brokers often:
  • Resist answering
  • Say they use “partner carriers”
  • Can’t tell you which truck until close to move date
Carriers perform moves with own trucks and employees.
  • Verify broker is licensed
  • Get carrier information before move
  • Verify carrier separately
  • Understand complaint process
  • Get everything in writing

Next: Comparing Movers

Questions to ask and what to look for

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