Common Moving Scams You Can Avoid
Fact Checked by: Moving is stressful enough without worrying about scams. Unfortunately, moving company fraud is on the rise and can cost you big.
The good news? There are clear warning signs and proven ways to protect yourself. You can keep your move safe, your money secure, and your sanity intact by working with reputable moving companies.
You can rest easy knowing that with a little guidance and research, it’s possible to take bad moving companies out of the equation entirely while planning for your move.
Our track record
Quick tips: Top red flags for moving company scams
- Refusal to provide in-home or video estimates: Avoid movers who only offer quotes by phone or email. This is a common setup for hidden fees and price hikes.
- Lack of valid USDOT registration or licensing: Every long-distance mover must have a USDOT number — no exceptions.
- Name changes: Sometimes a shady company will distance itself from past complaints by changing its name and repainting its trucks. Other times, scammers choose similar names to reputable movers so customers will think they’re working with the pros.
- Refusal to answer questions or provide references: Reliable companies are transparent about their track record.
- Blank, vague, or last-minute contract changes: Moving contracts should be detailed and consistent from start to finish.
- Unusually low quotes: Rock-bottom prices that seem too good to be true are a classic bait-and-switch tactic.
- No physical address or online presence: Reputable companies have a real office and active website.
- Unresponsive or poor communication: Difficulty reaching your mover is a warning sign.
Types of moving company scams
Moving scams come in several flavors. Understanding these common tactics can help you avoid a nightmare scenario.
Holding goods hostage
One of the oldest tricks in the book: Movers load your belongings, then refuse to deliver until you pay hidden fees or huge extra charges. This practice is illegal, but it still happens.
Lowball estimates and hidden fees
Some companies lure you in with a bargain quote, then surprise you with extra charges at pickup or delivery. Others intentionally underestimate your shipment’s weight, only to “find” extra pounds later.
It’s legal for movers to charge customers for last-minute services that weren’t included in the original estimate, like container storage or a shuttle fee. But unscrupulous movers add massive fuel surcharges, bloated insurance premiums, and jacked-up weights to the final bill.
Fly-by-night, online moving brokers
Moving carriers have trucks, warehouses, storage facilities, and trained employees to pack and move your items with packing materials. All moving brokers need is a post office box and a few phone lines to shop moves out to other companies.
Don’t dismiss a good company just because it’s a broker, but be wary of online brokers that misrepresent themselves as actual moving companies to unsuspecting consumers.
Insider’s Tip: Find out if a moving company is reputable by running a background check.
Ghosting and non-delivery scams
“Ghosting” is a growing scam. The company takes your deposit, maybe even your belongings, and then disappears. You get no updates, no delivery, and no one answers your calls.
Misleading contracts
Blank forms, sudden changes, or contracts designed to protect the mover — not you — are all major red flags. Unfortunately, if it’s not in writing, it doesn’t count.
Payment scams
Shady movers might ask for large upfront payments, “cash only” deals, or wire transfers. These payment methods are hard to dispute and even harder to trace.
Fake company names and frequent name changes
Some scam movers change their names frequently to escape bad reviews or government action. Always check how long the company has been operating and make sure the name matches their license to ensure they aren’t scammers trying to hide from their past.
How to vet movers: The ultimate checklist
Sorting out legitimate movers from scammers doesn’t have to be confusing. Use this checklist to protect yourself and your belongings.
- Verify USDOT registration: Use the FMCSA database to check the mover’s USDOT number and complaint history.
- Check reviews and reputation: Look up the company on the Better Business Bureau and explore our Better Moves Project participants’ firsthand reviews of their experiences with moving companies.
- Confirm physical address: Make sure the company has a real, local office (not just a PO box).
- Ask for references: Request recent customer references and reach out to them if you’re unsure about a company’s reputation.
- Check online presence: Scam movers are notorious for having little to no online presence. Look for a website with plenty of information about the company’s services, contracts, and team.
- Get everything in writing: Never sign blank or vague contracts. Read the fine print and ask questions if you’re unsure about anything in your moving contract.
- Compare multiple estimates: Always get at least three moving quotes from reputable movers. That way, you’ll get the best rates and services for your move, and you should be able to spot any extreme lowball offers.
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How to get legitimate estimates
Scammers love online-only or phone estimates. These allow them to lowball you, then hike up the cost later. Protect yourself by following these steps.
- Always insist on in-home or video surveys: This leads to a more accurate quote and fewer surprises.
- Get at least three written estimates: If one quote is much lower than the others, that’s a major red flag.
- Never accept a blank or vague estimate: The estimate should clearly list out services, inventory, and costs.
- Use a calculator: We recommend using a moving cost calculator to get unbiased recommendations and accurate quotes based on the specifics of your move.
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Contracts and documentation: What to watch for
A solid contract is your best defense against getting scammed by a moving company. Make sure you’re protected before signing anything.
- Never sign blank or incomplete contracts: Every detail should be filled in before you sign.
- Read every line, including the fine print: Pay special attention to delivery timeframes, insurance coverage, and extra fees.
- Watch for last-minute changes or “addendums” at pickup: Don’t accept new terms under pressure. Stand your ground and note what’s covered in the contract.
- Check your inventory list before signing: Make sure every item is accounted for so you won’t be hit with surprise fees for having a heavier load on moving day.
How to protect yourself from payment and deposit scams:
Payment scams can drain your wallet and leave you empty-handed. Take these precautions to keep your money safe.
- Avoid large upfront deposits: Remember that most legitimate movers only ask for a small deposit or payment at delivery.
- Never pay cash or wire money: Use a credit card (for fraud protection) or a check made out to a traceable business.
- Don’t pay in full until delivery: If a mover wants the entire payment upfront, find another company.
- Get receipts for every payment: Always keep payment documentation for your records.
Consumer rights and protections
You have rights as a moving customer, and knowing them can give you peace of mind throughout the process.
Your rights as a moving customer:
- Right to a written estimate and contract: Movers must provide these before your move begins.
- “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move”: Federal law requires movers to give you this FMCSA booklet outlining your legal rights.
- Protection from hostage situations: Movers can’t hold your belongings for extra payment above your binding estimate (with limited exceptions).
- Right to file complaints: You can report issues to the FMCSA, BBB, and state agencies, or take legal action if needed.
For details, visit FMCSA: Protect Your Move and check your state attorney general’s site.
What to do if you’ve been scammed by a mover: Step-by-step guide
If you’ve been caught in a moving scam, taking quick action can help recover your losses and warn others.
- Document everything: Save contracts, receipts, emails, texts, and photos of damages or missing items.
- Contact the moving company: Try to resolve the problem directly, and always communicate in writing.
- File complaints: Submit reports to the Better Business Bureau, FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database, and your state consumer protection office
- Leave factual, detailed reviews: Share your experience on public platforms to warn other people to stay away.
- Consider small claims court: For significant losses, you might want to take legal action to try to recover damages.
- Consult with a lawyer: This is a smart step, especially if your goods are being held hostage or the value is high.
While you might want to leave things in the past, filing a report can help prevent others from falling for the same scam.
Real-world lessons from moveBuddha readers
We’ve seen clear patterns that point to how moving scams, and scam-like experiences, unfold through the dozens of customer interviews in our Better Moves Project.
Not all of the readers who faced issues with their moves were scammed, but their experiences reflect the kinds of red flags you should be on the lookout for as you plan your move.
- Watch out for rate hikes: Several of our readers reported final bills that were thousands more than originally quoted. This often stemmed from vague or incomplete inventory estimates and unclear service terms.
- Be wary of poor or missing communication: Several customers experienced situations where movers became hard to reach, changed timelines without notice, or gave conflicting information about pickup and delivery.
- Don’t rely solely on brokers or third-parties: Moves involving brokers sometimes led to confusion, finger-pointing, and lack of accountability, especially when the actual carrier differed from the one that was originally discussed.
- Demand written confirmation of costs and services: Some surprise charges came from assumptions that services like packing, long carries, or shuttles were included when they weren’t. Always get a detailed quote in writing.
- Avoid movers who skip walkthroughs: Over-the-phone quotes frequently missed major items, leading to inflated costs later. A virtual or in-home walkthrough helps ensure accuracy and transparency.
- If something feels off, walk away: When customers pushed back on last-minute price changes or vague promises, sometimes they had better outcomes. Trust your gut and don’t ignore red flags.
Recent trends and statistics: Why scam awareness matters
Moving scams are getting worse. The Better Business Bureau receives more than 13,000 complaints about movers every year, and the number keeps rising. The FMCSA also reports a growing number of fraud cases, especially during peak summer months and in high-traffic states like Florida and California.
FAQs
What should I do if my mover won’t deliver my stuff or is ghosting me?
Is it normal for movers to ask for a large deposit?
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Can I get my money back if I’ve been scammed?
Avoid common moving scams and hire reputable movers with moveBuddha
Moving scams are alive and well despite continued efforts to police them.
It’s important to do your research before a move, and work with a reputable moving company. Get quotes from three to four movers as a starting point.
If you can’t afford a mover or have a small shipment, we recommend alternative options like rental trucks, moving containers, or freight trailers.
No matter what kind of mover you choose, be sure to do your research and vet the company properly, so you can avoid moving scams and enjoy a stress-free move.
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