How to Avoid Moving Company Scams: Complete Protection Guide
Every year, thousands of Americans fall victim to moving company fraud. From held-hostage belongings to vanished deposits, these scams cause financial devastation and emotional trauma. This guide will help you identify red flags and protect yourself.
⚠️ The Scale of the Problem
The FMCSA receives over 4,000 complaints annually about moving companies. The Better Business Bureau reports that moving scams consistently rank among the top consumer complaints.
Common Moving Scams to Watch For
1. The Lowball Estimate Scam
How it works: A "mover" provides an extremely low estimate—often over the phone without seeing your belongings. On moving day, they load your items, then demand a much higher price. With your possessions held hostage on their truck, you have little choice but to pay.
Red flags:
- Estimate given without in-home or video survey
- Price significantly lower than competitors
- Reluctance to provide written estimates
2. The Hostage Load Scam
How it works: After loading your belongings, the company demands additional payment—sometimes double or triple the original quote. They threaten to auction your items or store them indefinitely if you don't pay.
This is actually illegal under federal law. Movers cannot hold your belongings hostage for more than 110% of the original estimate until final weighing is complete.
3. The Phantom Mover
How it works: You pay a deposit to a "company" that either doesn't exist or has no intention of showing up. On moving day, no truck arrives, your calls go unanswered, and your deposit is gone.
4. The Blank Contract Trick
How it works: You're pressured to sign a contract with blank spaces for prices or dates. These get filled in later with inflated numbers. Always review every document completely before signing.
5. The Extra Fees Surprise
How it works: The company adds unexpected charges on moving day: "long carry" fees, stair fees, shuttle fees, or fuel surcharges that weren't in the original quote. While some fees can be legitimate, scammers exploit these to inflate bills.
How to Verify a Moving Company
Before hiring any mover, complete these verification steps:
Step 1: Check Their USDOT Number
Every legitimate interstate mover must have a USDOT Number. This is your key to accessing their federal safety record. Use Trucking Record to search by company name or USDOT number and verify:
- Their operating authority is ACTIVE
- Insurance coverage is current and adequate
- No history of excessive complaints or violations
- They haven't rebranded from a previously penalized company
🔍 Pro Tip
Cross-reference the company's claimed address with their FMCSA registration. Scammers often list fake addresses or change names frequently to escape bad reviews.
Step 2: Get In-Home Estimates
Legitimate movers will provide estimates based on:
- In-person survey of your belongings
- Video call assessment (common post-pandemic)
- Detailed inventory of items to be moved
Get at least three written estimates from different companies. If one is dramatically lower, that's a warning sign.
Step 3: Read Reviews Carefully
Check multiple sources:
- Better Business Bureau – Check their rating and complaint history
- Google Reviews – Look for patterns in negative reviews
- Yelp – Read the detailed experiences
- FMCSA Complaints – Search for formal complaints filed
Red Flags During the Process
Walk away immediately if you encounter any of these warning signs:
🚩 Immediate Red Flags
- ❌ No physical address or only a P.O. Box
- ❌ Answer the phone with generic "movers" instead of company name
- ❌ Demand large cash deposits
- ❌ Won't provide written estimate
- ❌ No USDOT number displayed on website or vehicles
- ❌ Cannot provide proof of insurance
- ❌ Show up on moving day with a rental truck
- ❌ Ask you to sign blank documents
What to Do If You've Been Scammed
- Document everything – Photos, emails, contracts, receipts
- File an FMCSA complaint – Visit NCCDB
- Report to your state attorney general
- File a BBB complaint
- Contact local law enforcement if theft occurred
- Dispute credit card charges if applicable
Protect Yourself: The Verification Checklist
✅ Before Signing Anything
- ☐ Verified USDOT Number on Trucking Record
- ☐ Confirmed insurance is active and adequate
- ☐ Received in-home or video estimate
- ☐ Got written binding or not-to-exceed estimate
- ☐ Read and understood all contract terms
- ☐ Checked BBB and online reviews
- ☐ Confirmed physical business address
- ☐ Received copy of "Your Rights and Responsibilities" booklet
Trucking Record Editorial Team
Our team analyzes FMCSA data to provide accurate, up-to-date information about motor carrier safety. We are committed to transparency in the trucking industry.