Most Common Moving Company Scams & How to Avoid Them
Moving company scams can leave families facing huge losses or missing belongings. Learn the top warning signs of fake, dishonest, or hostage movers—and exactly how you can protect yourself when hiring a moving company.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
About this scam type
Moving company scams often involve imposters or deceptive brokers posing as legitimate movers. They lure customers with low-ball estimates, then inflate prices, demand extra money, or disappear with your belongings or deposit. Victims may also face forged credentials and fake customer reviews.
How scammers contact victims
Most moving company scams start online, using fake websites, broker platforms, or online ads to reach people searching for movers. Scammers exploit trust in web listings or sponsored search results, making it hard to tell real movers from imposters.
Who is most at risk
Anyone planning a move is at risk, but long-distance moves, older adults, and relocating military families are prime targets. These groups are especially vulnerable because they often need quick service, rely on online research, and may not be familiar with industry rules or consumer protections.
Understanding the risk level
Losses from moving scams can be severe, with families losing thousands in surprise fees, destroyed goods, or entire loads held hostage. Victims often have few options and face emotional distress. According to the FTC and BBB, complaints are rising, with some scams causing $1 million or more in losses per year.
Most Common Moving Company Scams
How it works: Scammers offer a low online or phone estimate to secure your booking, only to dramatically increase the price on moving day, sometimes by double or more. You are pressured to pay the higher amount immediately to get your belongings loaded or delivered.
Real Complaint (2024)
"They told us the move would be $1,300. When the truck arrived, the cost jumped to $4,800." Red Flag Signs:
- • Verbal or email-only estimates with no in-home visit
- • Vague explanations for extra charges
- • Pressure to pay more before loading or delivery
How it works: After loading your possessions, the mover demands much more money than agreed. They refuse to deliver until you pay upfront—often in cash or money order—threatening storage fees or disposal.
BBB Case
"Our furniture was held hostage until we paid almost double the estimate—cash only." Red Flag Signs:
- • Demand for immediate or cash-only payment on delivery
- • Threats to auction or store your goods
- • Refusal to unload until paid
How it works: Some websites collect deposits then vanish, never sending a moving crew. Others use fake DOT numbers, addresses that do not exist, and only accept wire or cash payments.
Consumer Review
"I paid a deposit—no movers ever arrived and their number was disconnected." Red Flag Signs:
- • Requests for large deposits, wire transfers, or cash in advance
- • No physical address or inability to verify company registration
- • Website full of stock photos and suspicious reviews
How it works: Unlicensed brokers pose as movers but outsource the job to unknown third parties, leaving you with no recourse if things go wrong. The actual movers may be unregistered or refuse to honor the original quote.
Victim Report
"I thought I hired one company but another unknown crew arrived with a completely new price." Red Flag Signs:
- • Company asks you to sign with a different carrier last minute
- • No clear contract with both the broker and mover
- • Constantly changing company names on paperwork
How it works: Some movers intentionally inflate the weight of your load or refuse to provide official reweigh documents, leading to hidden fees above the estimate.
BBB Consumer Complaint
"I asked for a reweigh, but they said their scale was broken and still charged double." Red Flag Signs:
- • Refusal to allow you to witness truck weighing
- • No official weight tickets or reweigh paperwork
- • Charging by cubic feet instead of weight for interstate moves
How it works: Scammers push overpriced packing, storage, or 'insurance' that does not exist. Victims pay for protection but end up with damaged or missing items and no way to claim compensation.
News Report (2024)
"We paid for full coverage, but they refused to honor any damage claims." Red Flag Signs:
- • High-pressure sales for insurance or storage add-ons
- • No proof of real insurance or unclear coverage terms
- • Refusal to provide the FMCSA 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet
Red Flags & Warning Signs
Top 5 Phrases Scammers Use
- 1 "This is just an estimate—you can pay the rest at delivery."
Avoids written contracts and hides potential price hikes.
- 2 "Pay a deposit now or lose your spot."
Pushes for cash up front to lock in victims quickly.
- 3 "We only accept cash or wire on delivery."
Demands untraceable payment methods that are hard to dispute.
- 4 "We can't reweigh—the scale is broken."
Wants to block your right to verify charges.
- 5 "We’ll send another company for the job."
Hides the true identity of who is responsible for the move.
Scam Warning Signs
- No written estimate or blank contractLegit movers must provide signed, detailed estimates before the move.
- Requests for high deposits or large payments upfrontReal movers never demand big cash deposits before work begins.
- No valid FMCSA or USDOT registrationFederal law requires most interstate movers to be registered.
- Company uses mail-drop address or has no physical presenceScammers often fake locations to avoid accountability.
- Generic or suspicious online reviewsFake reviews or none at all are major warning signs.
Legitimate Communications
- Provides in-home estimate and detailed contractProfessional movers inspect your goods in person and supply clear paperwork.
- Lists full FMCSA registration and USDOT numberLegit movers display real registration info for verification.
- Accepts standard payment options (credit, check, not cash-only)Established movers accept safe and traceable payments.
- Supplies 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move'This federal brochure is mandatory for interstate moves.
- Offers clear liability and claims process in writingReal movers detail your insurance options and claims procedure.
How to Protect Yourself
Taking a few precautions can save you from moving heartbreak. Verify every mover, get it in writing, and know your rights before you pack a single box.
- 1. Verify Mover Registration & Reputation
Check that the mover is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and has an active US DOT number. Look up reviews using the company’s real name and phone number to spot past complaints.
Use the FMCSA’s Mover Database at protectyourmove.gov to check registration and complaints.
- 2. Get Written, Signed Estimates
Insist on a written estimate—not just a phone or online quote. Movers must give a binding or non-binding estimate in writing and cannot collect more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery.
Never sign blank paperwork. Review all terms before agreeing.
- 3. Be Skeptical of Lowball Quotes
Avoid companies that advertise extremely low prices or ask for large deposits. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- 4. Don’t Pay Large Deposits or Cash Upfront
Legitimate movers will not ask you to pay more than a small booking fee or require cash or wire transfer before the move. Use a credit card when possible for payment protection.
- 5. Demand Consumer Brochures and Paperwork
Federal law requires interstate movers to give you the 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet. If they do not provide this document, walk away.
- 6. Clarify Broker vs. Carrier Roles
If you work with a broker, make sure you know which moving company will actually handle your goods. Get the full name and registration info of both broker and carrier in writing.
Stay vigilant—monitor your accounts and consider signing up for Lifeguard to get real-time alerts if scammers target your family.
What to Do If You're a Victim
If your move turns into a scam, fast action can limit damage and help retrieve your belongings or money. Do not lose hope—many families recover stolen items or avoid further loss by acting quickly.
- 1. Contact the Mover to Negotiate Release (Do immediately)
Try to calmly resolve the dispute and document all conversations. Request written receipts for any additional charges.
- 2. File a Complaint with FMCSA (Do immediately)
Report the mover using the FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database at https://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov or call 1-888-368-7238. Federal regulators can investigate hostage and fraudulent moves.
- 3. Alert Local Law Enforcement (Do immediately)
If your goods are being held for ransom or you are at the delivery location, call the local police non-emergency line for assistance.
- 4. Report the Scam to the FTC (Within 24 hours)
Submit a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission at https://ReportFraud.ftc.gov for support and tracking.
- 5. Notify Your State Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Office (Within 24 hours)
State consumer agencies can take enforcement action and help mediate moving complaints. Look up your state’s Attorney General online.
- 6. File a BBB Complaint (Within 1 week)
Share your experience with the Better Business Bureau at https://bbb.org to warn others and potentially get the company’s attention.
- 7. Monitor Your Finances and Credit
If you shared sensitive financial info or ID documents, contact your bank and watch your accounts for unusual activity.
For additional support, contact MoveRescue at 1-800-832-1773 for guidance on recovering goods or navigating complex moving disputes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the FMCSA Mover Database at protectyourmove.gov to look up a mover’s USDOT number, registration, and complaint record. Verify physical address and reviews on trusted sources.
Avoid cash or wire transfers whenever possible. Paying by credit card offers more protection if you need to dispute charges or report fraud.
You must receive a written estimate, signed contract, bill of lading, and the 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet as required by federal law.
For non-binding estimates, movers cannot collect more than 110% of the original estimate at delivery. Extra charges must be billed separately and documented.
File a complaint with FMCSA at nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov, notify your state Attorney General, report to the FTC, and consider lodging a complaint with the BBB.
Immediately contact the police, file a report with FMCSA, and gather all written documentation. Do not pay without demanding a receipt and full inventory.
Yes, federal rules let you request a reweigh before delivery to avoid inflated charges. Movers must give you access to weight tickets if you ask.
Genuine movers must explain liability coverage and offer options for extra insurance. Beware of vague or high-pressure offers and always get coverage terms in writing.
Many contracts include arbitration or claims procedures. You can also seek mediation through the FMCSA or your state’s consumer protection office.