Howard's VanLine LLC
Consumer Reports Submitted to Trunk (20)
Told consumers they were not a broker. Atlas Movers showed up early before they were ready. Belongings held hostage for an additional $11,541. Threatened to send belongings to auction on 6/5. 45 days later texted offering a "discounted price" of $9,400 to schedule delivery. Consumer asked for proof they still have belongings, never received it.
Submitted to Trunk 2026-07-28
Paid $1,800 deposit via ACH check. Movers showed up three days late. Demanded an additional $10,000 before loading anything. Consumer refused. They drove off and will not return the deposit. Claimed consumer "refused to move" because he did not agree to the higher price. Quoted $3,300, demanded $12,450 (277% increase).
Submitted to Trunk 2026-07-29
First pickup date (6/26) cancelled last minute. Rescheduled for 6/27 in Henrietta, NY. Price immediately jumped an additional $4,500 over binding estimate of $2,709.72. Movers claimed items were antique and needed special care. Demanded $2,200 in money orders at pickup and stated $2,300 due at Mississippi delivery. No paperwork provided after signing under duress while trying to empty deceased mother-in-law's apartment by 6/30. Movers left with furniture and 5 small boxes intended for active duty Navy son and his family in Mississippi. Howard's failed to provide Bill of Lading after multiple requests. Consumer got $1,293 deposit back from credit card company. Filed FMCSA complaint and police report with Monroe County NY Sheriff. Received threatening text from employee named Deborah demanding payment after learning credit card reversed the deposit. No word since from Howard's.
Submitted to Trunk 2026-07-20
Was told the move would be $3,000 and at drop off needed to pay $500. Was fine with that. Drove down to destination and within a day or two they asked for an additional $5,450. Which does not make sense.
Submitted to Trunk 2026-07-29
Called three moving companies and got quotes from all. Went with Howard's as it was in the middle. Quoted $3,400 to move equipment from San Diego to Oklahoma. Sent pictures, videos, detailed email with every machine and weight, plus drone aerial shot before they came. Was told no problem. Movers came out, looked at it, laughed, and drove away. Came back an hour later and said they would do it for $12,800. Consumer said never mind, requested deposit back. Howard's refused, claiming consumer "refused to move." Lost $1,800 deposit.
Submitted to Trunk 2026-07-30
15 additional victims reported
| Reporter | Route | Paid | Demanded | Hostage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison W. | Springfield, MO → Nashville, TN | $1,538 | - | - |
| Janelle C. | - | $1,400 | - | - |
| Ken M. | TN → TX | $3,800 | $4,550 | Yes |
| Ashley M. | - | - | - | - |
| Sonny L. | - | - | $24,000 | Yes |
| Cara B. | - | - | $5,200 | - |
| Ron G. | TN → TX | - | - | Yes |
| Susan A. | - | - | - | - |
| Shelly B. | - | $5,547 | - | Yes |
| Lucy V. | - | $5,000 | - | Yes |
| Linda C. | - | - | - | - |
| Susan H. | - | - | - | - |
| Alyssa S. | - | - | $832 | - |
| Cara M. | - | - | $5,200 | - |
| Sherri S. | - | - | - | - |
Source: Consumer reports submitted to Trunk. Reporter names abbreviated for privacy.
Red Flags
- multiple documented fraud victims between October 2025 and May 2026
- subject of DOT Office of Inspector General investigation request
- new carrier with rapid complaint accumulation
- expedited license revocation requested
- Binding estimate of $2,709 jumped to $5,800+ on moving day (114% increase)
- Cancelled first pickup date last minute, then inflated price on rescheduled date
- Demanded payment in money orders only
- Signed contract under duress while emptying deceased family member's apartment under deadline
- Failed to provide Bill of Lading after multiple requests (federal violation)
- Employee named Deborah sent threatening text demanding payment after credit card chargeback
- FMCSA complaint filed by consumer
- Police report filed with Monroe County NY Sheriff
- 16 of 33 victims (48%) in Facebook fraud awareness spreadsheet named Howards Van Line
- 16 documented victims in structured Facebook fraud awareness spreadsheet
- $63,529 total paid across victim group, $117,282 total demanded
- 67% of cases involved hostage situations
- 15 consumer report(s) submitted to Trunk. $17,285 total paid by victims. $39,782 total demanded from victims. 5 hostage situation(s) documented
- Denied being a broker, then Atlas Movers showed up instead
- Belongings held hostage for additional $11,541 above quoted price
- Threatened to auction consumer belongings
- 45 days later offered "discounted" $9,400 to schedule delivery
- Failed to provide proof they still possess consumer belongings when asked
- Showed up three days late, then demanded $10,000 more before loading
- Quoted $3,300, demanded $12,450 (277% increase)
- Drove off with $1,800 deposit and refuses to return it
- Claimed consumer "refused to move" after consumer rejected inflated price
Trunk Research
FMCSA Record
USDOT
4391903
MC
1722990
Status
Authorized
Crashes (24mo)
0
Fleet
1 trucks
Insurance
On file
How Howard's VanLine LLC Compares
Google Rating
Reviews
6 reviews across bbb, google, trunk_complaint. 0 positive (0%). 6 negative (100%). Average: 1/5 from 10 Google reviews.
| Rating | Review | Author | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/5 | Original moving estimate was around $2,000. 2 weeks before the move after company sent inventory list, at least $4,900. Showed up and the price was up to $5,600. 63% higher than original estimate. | Elizabeth R | bbb |
| 1/5 | Contacted Howards Van Lines in March 2026 to pick up my property. NO SHOW multiple times. I had sold most of my furniture after I contracted them. They would not pick up my property. | Lucy V | bbb |
| 1/5 | Quoted $900 and locked in. Signed contract. They assured me that there would be no more charges. | Lynn H | bbb |
| 1/5 | A negative rating is even too good for this scam, imposter, deceitful business. Frank was nice and assured us that everything would be great. We even asked about the bad reviews. Liar, cheat, awful person and so is his father the owner. 3 days before our move we got a call from Michael telling us we had more stuff than was on the original quote. He dropped the price just double. They did not pack a thing other wrapping the furniture and pictures. | Sherri Steinbeck | |
| 1/5 | The absolute worst moving company ever. First off their entire website is fake. We were told we needed two trucks, they show up two weeks late with only one truck. They crammed everything into one truck, damaged several items and broke 3 TVs. Once everything was off the truck they just took off. About $25,000 in damages and missing items. | Coach Will | |
| 1/5 | We were told it would be $3,000 and at drop off we needed to pay $500. We were fine with that. I drove down to my destination and within a day or two they asked for an additional $5,450. Which does not make sense. | Anonymous | trunk_complaint |
Original moving estimate was around $2,000. 2 weeks before the move after company sent inventory list, at least $4,900. Showed up and the price was up to $5,600. 63% higher than original estimate.
Elizabeth R
Contacted Howards Van Lines in March 2026 to pick up my property. NO SHOW multiple times. I had sold most of my furniture after I contracted them. They would not pick up my property.
Lucy V
Quoted $900 and locked in. Signed contract. They assured me that there would be no more charges.
Lynn H
A negative rating is even too good for this scam, imposter, deceitful business. Frank was nice and assured us that everything would be great. We even asked about the bad reviews. Liar, cheat, awful person and so is his father the owner. 3 days before our move we got a call from Michael telling us we had more stuff than was on the original quote. He dropped the price just double. They did not pack a thing other wrapping the furniture and pictures.
Sherri Steinbeck
The absolute worst moving company ever. First off their entire website is fake. We were told we needed two trucks, they show up two weeks late with only one truck. They crammed everything into one truck, damaged several items and broke 3 TVs. Once everything was off the truck they just took off. About $25,000 in damages and missing items.
Coach Will
We were told it would be $3,000 and at drop off we needed to pay $500. We were fine with that. I drove down to my destination and within a day or two they asked for an additional $5,450. Which does not make sense.
Anonymous
Location
141 LANZA AVE, GARFILED, NJ 07026
(888)404-8382