How to Avoid Moving Scams

5 ways to protect yourself from fraudulent movers

Scammers rely on customers being too rushed or overwhelmed to ask questions. Don't give them that advantage. Preparing in advance, asking questions and understanding your rights can help you avoid getting scammed during a move.

1. Check a mover’s license

For interstate moves, look up the movers using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) moving company database. Search by name, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number or Motor Carrier (MC) number. If you’re moving within your current state, the moving company may not need to be registered with the USDOT. Check with your state’s consumer protection office about specific rules or regulations for intrastate moving companies. 

In addition to looking up the movers using the FMCSA database, you should check the company website for a physical address, contact information and reviews. You can also check the FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database or the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) page for complaints filed by past customers.

2. Pay with a credit card

Credit cards offer built-in fraud protection that cash and checks don’t. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, consumers have the right to dispute credit card charges that are inaccurate or fraudulent. In this sense, credit cards offer more protection against moving scams than other forms of payment.

We’ve seen a concerning trend with movers: Some companies ask for final payment in untraceable ways. For instance, Venmo or Zelle to personal accounts, postal money orders and refuse credit cards.

The mover will often say, “It’s company policy.” But this makes it hard to dispute charges later. For costly services like moving, paying with a credit card ensures there’s a paper trail.

3. Read contracts line by line

Before signing, make sure the contract includes specific pickup and delivery dates, a detailed cost breakdown and clear payment terms. Never sign a blank or incomplete contract. A moving contract shouldn’t have any blank fields that are supposed to include details about pricing, dates or terms.

Watch out for these red-flag phrases hidden in the fine print:

• “Estimate subject to change” means your quote will almost certainly increase.
• “Estimates are nonbinding” means the initial price was a lowball tactic.
• “Cash payment required at delivery” means you’ll have no recourse if problems arise.

4. Document everything with an inventory

Create a numbered list or write down all your belongings before the move. Take photos of items (especially valuables) before they are loaded. This documentation becomes crucial evidence if anything is damaged, lost or held hostage.

5. Consider moving insurance

Did you know that standard moving insurance is inadequate for most situations?

Standard moving insurance is generally limited.

Basic coverage, which is included for free with legitimate movers, only reimburses about 60 cents per pound per item. This frequently does not cover the actual value of damaged or lost belongings.

For more comprehensive protection, consider upgrading to full-value protection or purchasing third-party insurance. These options offer greater reimbursement, though they come at an additional cost.

Don’t rely on overly broad promises. Instead, choose a reputable company and purchase additional insurance for better protection.

Pro tip: Plan ahead.

Start researching movers at least four to six weeks before your move date. Rushing your decision is exactly what scammers count on.

» EXPLORE: Moving prep resources

Advice from customers who got scammed by movers

• M. in Texas: “DO NOT sign the form they send you initially without reviewing it CAREFULLY! They rush you through what all you have then don’t put it all on the list and tell you to sign it so they can get it booked. Then they call and go over your inventory again later and claim they didn’t know of all the items and want to charge you MORE! They then blame it on you for signing the first form.”
• Melba in Florida: “I will give you (consumers) yet another warning…I foolishly didn’t read the reviews for this move because a couple of months ago I saw a news report in my area where this company did a free move for a person that could not afford the move! I decided that I would use this company because of that good gesture. Huge, mistake!!!!”

Most common moving scams, according to recent moving company complaints

We analyzed over 800 recent 1- and 2-star moving company reviews to find out what the most common complaints are. According to our data, these are the most common complaints and how often they appeared in reviews over the last two years.

10 red flags of a moving scam

Even if nothing obvious stands out, trust your gut — if something feels off, it’s always better to walk away and find another company. These are some of the most common red flags to watch out for when hiring professional movers.

1. Missing company information

If a mover’s website lacks a physical address, registration or proof of insurance, consider it a red flag. Take a moment to check online using street-view and satellite maps to verify the company’s physical address is a business and not a residence. If you call and hear a generic greeting like “movers” instead of a specific company name, that’s another warning sign.

2. The company only does phone estimates

If a company refuses to come to your home to make a final estimate, that’s a red flag. Some scammers make rough estimates over the phone, accept your deposit and vanish.

A legitimate company comes to your home (or uses video chat) to see your things and determine an accurate estimate. It’s also a red flag if a mover grudgingly agrees to inventory your items but only gives them a cursory glance.

3. The mover demands a large deposit

A small deposit (usually less than 20%) is normal. But scammers sometimes ask for large down payments, pocket them and disappear. If a moving company demands a large deposit upfront, you should consider using an alternative company.

A more extreme moving scam involves holding your items hostage and demanding more money to return them. These scammers are called "rogue movers.” Be sure to keep your bill of lading (which can serve as a receipt and contract), and avoid giving in to any cash demands upfront to protect yourself against this kind of scam.

4. Suspiciously low bids

If one quote is much lower than the others, be suspicious of that bid. Scammers often lure customers with prices that are too good to be true. Avoid companies that won’t put quotes in writing or base their estimates on others’ pricing without seeing your belongings.

Binding vs. nonbinding moving quotes

With binding estimates, the amount you agree to upfront is exactly what you’ll pay, even if your belongings end up weighing more than expected. A nonbinding quote is just an estimate, and your final cost is determined by the actual weight of your items or extra services used.

» MORE: What to know about moving company quotes

5. The company doesn’t mention your rights and responsibilities

By law, licensed movers must provide their customers with a packet entitled “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” before an interstate move. This booklet is designed to help you understand the moving process and protect yourself against moving fraud. If it doesn’t provide it, that may be a sign the company doesn’t follow federal regulations.

6. Frequent name changes

If you can trace the company’s history through multiple recent name changes, that’s a bad sign. Companies with subpar customer reviews often do this to mislead prospective customers and get around negative coverage. This is one example of why you should spend some time researching a moving company’s history before signing a contract.

7. Ironclad quotes

While the quotes you receive shouldn’t be too far off the mark, if the company says your quote is set in stone and won’t change, be careful. Most quotes are subject to change if the weight of your household goods is more than expected.

Trust your gut. If something feels off about a moving company, don’t be afraid to walk away.

8. Unrealistic insurance claims

Beware of movers who promise their insurance covers everything. Standard moving coverage reimburses about 60 cents per pound per item, which means you are compensated based on the total weight of your belongings rather than their actual value.

Don’t rely on overly broad promises. Instead, choose a reputable moving company and purchase additional insurance for better protection.

9. Unmarked trucks

Legitimate companies usually have branded trucks with signage. If an unmarked truck shows up on moving day, it might be an illegitimate business.

This is not to say that a scammer won’t have signage, but if a moving truck shows up and it isn’t marked, you should be cautious; consider verifying the company's legitimacy before loading your valuables and belongings into an unmarked truck.

10. Charging by the cubic foot

Most reputable companies charge based on weight, not by cubic foot. For interstate moves, it’s uncommon to charge by volume unless the mover also provides a weight-based conversion — and unless the estimate is binding, charging by cubic foot is actually illegal.

» COMPARE: Best local moving companies

What to do if you think you’re a moving scam victim

If you suspect you’re dealing with a scammer pretending to be a moving company, or if you are actively being scammed, you should report it immediately to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report fraudulent movers using the Office of Inspector General’s hotline complaint form.

From there, you should collect all documentation of the scam, including all communications with the moving company, your contract and photos of your belongings. Contact local authorities to file a police report and receive instructions about what to do next. If you paid the company with your credit card, you can reach out to the credit card company or bank to dispute the charges as fraudulent.

How to find a reputable moving company

The best way to avoid scams is to choose a mover with a proven track record of legitimacy, honesty and reliability. Start by comparing multiple moving estimates to identify the typical price range for your move. Be wary of outliers and prioritize companies with solid reputations.

1. Get recommendations: Ask friends, family or real estate agents for trusted mover suggestions.
2. Get several estimates: Beyond helping you compare moving company costs, this also lets you establish a normal price range so you can spot outliers.
3. Read reviews: Look for companies with long histories of positive reviews on independent websites. Avoid movers with no reviews or reviews that only appear on their own site. Be mindful of negative reviews and complaints that show patterns of misleading or dishonest tactics.
4. Verify registration: Confirm the company is registered with the USDOT.
5. Avoid the lowest bid: It’s tempting to go with the cheapest option, but drastically lower quotes often signal trouble. These are common tactics used by scammers.

» RELATED: How to hire movers

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