Moving Scams to Avoid

The moving industry has more than its share of bad actors. The FMCSA receives thousands of complaints each year about fraudulent movers. This guide covers the most common scams, how to spot them, and how to protect yourself.

Updated 2026-06-15

12 Red Flags to Watch For

If a mover triggers even one of these, get quotes from other companies. Two or more is a strong signal to walk away.

1.No USDOT number or refusal to share it
2.Demands large cash deposit before moving day
3.Phone-only estimate without seeing your items
4.No physical business address
5.Refuses to provide a written binding estimate
6.Quote is 30%+ below every competitor
7.Generic email address (gmail, yahoo, hotmail)
8.Blank or incomplete contract
9.No company branding on the truck
10.Answers the phone with a generic greeting, not the company name
11.Cannot provide proof of insurance when asked
12.Pressures you to sign immediately or lose the price

8 Common Moving Scams Explained

Hostage LoadThe mover loads your belongings, then demands far more than the quoted price before unloading.

How it works

They give a low estimate to win your business. On move day, after your items are on the truck, they claim the shipment weighs more than estimated or add surprise fees. They refuse to unload until you pay.

How to protect yourself

Get a binding or not-to-exceed estimate. Federal law caps delivery charges at 110% of a binding estimate. Pay only the legal amount, get a receipt, and file a complaint immediately.

Bait-and-Switch PricingThe initial quote is unrealistically low. The final bill is 2x to 3x higher.

How it works

The mover quotes a low price over the phone without an inventory survey. On move day, they 'discover' your shipment is larger than expected and charge accordingly. Some add hidden fees for stairs, long carries, packing materials, or fuel.

How to protect yourself

Never accept a phone-only estimate. Insist on an in-home or video survey. Get a binding estimate in writing. Compare quotes from 3+ movers to identify outliers.

Fake or Bought ReviewsThe company's online reputation is artificially inflated with purchased 5-star reviews.

How it works

Scam movers buy bulk reviews from review farms or pay individuals to post fake testimonials. The reviews are vague, lack detail, and often appear in clusters. The company's website may show testimonials from stock photos.

How to protect yourself

Cross-check reviews on Google, Yelp, and the BBB. Look for detailed, specific reviews with real names. Be suspicious of companies with hundreds of perfect reviews but no photos or negative feedback.

Unlicensed OperationThe company operates without a USDOT number, proper insurance, or state licensing.

How it works

The mover has no legal authority to operate. If something goes wrong (damage, theft, loss), you have no regulatory recourse. These operators often work under multiple names and disappear after problems arise.

How to protect yourself

Verify the USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before booking. Check that their operating authority status shows 'AUTHORIZED'. Confirm their insurance is active and current.

Large Upfront DepositThe mover demands 30% to 50% (or more) of the total cost upfront, in cash or wire transfer.

How it works

After collecting the deposit, the scam company may never show up on move day, or they show up and demand additional payment. Cash and wire transfers are nearly impossible to recover.

How to protect yourself

Pay by credit card only. A deposit of 10% to 20% by credit card is normal. Any request for cash, wire transfer, or a deposit over 25% is a red flag. Legitimate movers collect most payment at delivery.

No Physical AddressThe company has no real office, warehouse, or physical location.

How it works

The 'company' is a broker or fly-by-night operator working from a P.O. Box or virtual office. If something goes wrong, there is no one to hold accountable. They may also subcontract your move to an unknown third party without telling you.

How to protect yourself

Verify the company has a real physical address (not a P.O. Box). Check Google Maps Street View. Ask directly if they are a broker or carrier. Brokers are not inherently bad but you should know who is actually moving your items.

Blank or Incomplete ContractsThe mover asks you to sign paperwork with blank fields or missing terms.

How it works

After you sign, the company fills in higher prices, extra fees, or unfavorable terms. You have no proof of the original agreement because the contract was blank when you signed it.

How to protect yourself

Never sign anything with blank spaces. Read every line. All prices, dates, addresses, and services should be filled in before you sign. Get a copy of the signed contract immediately.

Low-ball EstimateThe quote is 30% to 50% below every other company. It sounds too good to be true.

How it works

An unrealistically low estimate wins your booking. On move day, the price balloons due to 'underestimated weight,' surprise fees, or bait-and-switch tactics. By then, your items are loaded and you feel trapped.

How to protect yourself

If one quote is dramatically lower than the others, it is almost certainly a red flag. Get at least 3 quotes. The lowest should be within 15% to 20% of the average, not 40% below.

How to Verify Any Moving Company

Before you book, run through this verification checklist. It takes 10 to 15 minutes and can save you thousands.

Look up USDOT number

safer.fmcsa.dot.gov

Confirm status is 'AUTHORIZED' and insurance is active. Check complaint history.

Check BBB profile

bbb.org

Look at the rating, number of complaints, and how complaints were resolved.

Read third-party reviews

Google, Yelp

Look for detailed reviews with specific move details. Cross-reference across platforms.

Verify physical address

Google Maps

Check Street View. A real moving company should have a warehouse or office, not a P.O. Box.

Ask for references

Direct

A reputable mover should be willing to provide recent customer references.

Trunk pre-verifies every mover on the platform, checking USDOT status, insurance, and review history so you do not have to. See our methodology.

Moving Brokers vs. Moving Carriers

Moving Broker

Sells the move but does not perform it
Subcontracts to a carrier you may not know about
Has a USDOT number with broker authority (MC number)
Not liable for damage during transit in many cases
Can be legitimate, but ask who will actually move you

Moving Carrier

Owns the trucks and employs the crew
Directly responsible for your belongings
Has a USDOT number with carrier authority
Liable for damage under Released Value or Full Value Protection
Generally more accountability and simpler dispute resolution

Neither is inherently better. But always ask: "Are you a broker or a carrier? Who will actually perform my move?" If they cannot give you a clear answer, that is a red flag.

What to Do If You Have Been Scammed

1.Document everything immediately. Photos of damage, screenshots of texts and emails, copies of your contract, and notes on what happened with dates and times.
2.File a police report. If items were stolen, you were threatened, or the mover is holding your belongings hostage, this is a criminal matter. File a police report in both the origin and destination jurisdictions.
3.File an FMCSA complaint. Go to nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov or call 1-888-368-7238. This creates an official record against the mover's operating authority.
4.File a BBB complaint. Go to bbb.org, find the company, and file a formal complaint. This goes on their public record.
5.Contact your State Attorney General. File a consumer fraud complaint with your state AG's office. This is especially important for intrastate moves that FMCSA does not cover.
6.Dispute the credit card charge. If you paid by credit card, initiate a chargeback for services not rendered or fraud. This is why paying by credit card (not cash or wire) is so important.
7.Consider small claims court. For losses within your state's small claims limit, you can file without a lawyer.

For detailed filing instructions, see our guide to filing a moving complaint.

Moving Fraud by the Numbers

~5,000

Complaints filed with FMCSA annually about household goods movers

$0.60/lb

Default liability coverage. A $2,000 laptop weighing 5 lbs pays out just $3.

110%

Maximum a mover can charge at delivery above a binding estimate

Protection Checklist

Verify USDOT number and operating authority at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
Get at least 3 quotes and reject any that are dramatically below average
Insist on an in-home or video survey for accurate estimates
Get a binding or not-to-exceed estimate in writing
Pay by credit card only. Never wire transfer or cash deposits over 20%
Read the entire contract before signing. No blank spaces.
Check reviews on Google, Yelp, and BBB. Not just the mover's website.
Confirm the company has a physical address (not a P.O. Box)
Ask if they are a broker or carrier. Know who is actually moving you.
Photograph every valuable item before the movers arrive

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hostage load in moving?+

A hostage load is when a mover loads your belongings onto the truck, then demands significantly more money than the agreed price before unloading at your destination. This is illegal for interstate movers under FMCSA regulations. If it happens, call the FMCSA hotline at 1-888-368-7238 and file a police report. Pay the legally required amount (no more than 110% of a binding estimate) under protest, get a receipt, and pursue the overcharge through the claims process.

How can I verify if a moving company is legitimate?+

Check three things. First, look up their USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Every legitimate interstate mover has one. Second, check their BBB rating and complaint history at bbb.org. Third, read reviews on Google, Yelp, and other independent platforms. Be wary of companies with only 5-star reviews on their own website but no presence on third-party review sites. Trunk pre-verifies every mover on its platform, so you can skip this step when using Trunk.

What are the biggest red flags when hiring a mover?+

The top red flags are: no USDOT number or refusal to share it, demanding a large cash deposit before the move, giving a quote over the phone without seeing your inventory, no physical business address, refusing to provide a written binding estimate, unusually low estimates (30%+ below competitors), a generic email address (gmail, yahoo) instead of a company domain, and a blank or incomplete contract.

Is it safe to pay a moving deposit?+

Small deposits (under 20% of the total estimate) paid by credit card are normal and generally safe. Be suspicious if a mover demands a large deposit (over 30%), requires cash or wire transfer, or wants full payment before the move. Legitimate movers collect most payment at delivery. Always pay by credit card so you can dispute the charge if needed.

How do I spot fake moving company reviews?+

Fake reviews tend to be vague, overly positive, posted in clusters around the same dates, and written by accounts with no other review history. Look for reviews that mention specific details (crew member names, actual items moved, specific problems and how they were resolved). A company with 500 five-star reviews but zero photos, zero detailed reviews, and no negative reviews is suspicious. Cross-check reviews across Google, Yelp, and the BBB.

What should I do if I think I hired a scam moving company?+

If the movers have not yet loaded your items, cancel immediately and call another company. If they have already loaded your belongings, document everything with photos and video, pay only the contractually agreed amount, and get a receipt. Then file complaints with the FMCSA (for interstate moves), your State Attorney General (for intrastate), the BBB, and local police. File a credit card chargeback if you paid by card.

Are online moving quotes accurate?+

Online quotes are estimates, not binding prices. They can be useful for ballpark budgeting but are not substitutes for an in-home or video survey. The most accurate quotes come from a visual inspection of your belongings (in person or via video call). Any mover that gives you a final, binding price based solely on a phone call or online form without seeing your inventory is a red flag.

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