Worst Movers in Downtown Thousand Oaks, CA
The worst movers in Downtown Thousand Oaks are Across America Moving & Storage, Air 1 Moving and Storage, Air 1 Moving and Storage, Air Ride Moving & Storage, Inc., Ameli Moving and Storage Company, AmexMovers, Inc., AS Transport Enterprises, Inc., Avalon Van Lines, Ben Hur Moving & Storage, Benny's Moving & Storage, Benny's Moving & Storage, BQM Moving and Storage, California New York Express, CNS Transportation, Direct Moving and Storage, Inc., Discount Moving & Storage, Exodus Relocation, Exodus Relocation, Fragile Van Lines, Gem Trucking, Genesis Van Lines, Golden Van Lines Inc., Hanna International, Inc., Hercules Van Lines, Inc., Jet Lines Moving & Storage, Mayfield Van Line Inc., Millennium Moving, National Relocation Van Lines, Oakley Van Lines, One Mover Depot, Inc. aka 1 Mover Depot, Inc., Paramount Packing & Relocation, Inc., Priority Van Lines, Priority Van Lines, Quicksilver Moving & Storage, Remington Moving and Storage LLC, Royalty Moving, Star Van Lines, Inc., US Moving Experts, Inc., US Moving Experts, Inc., and West Coast Moving & Storage. Of 140 movers surveyed in the Downtown Thousand Oaks area, 40 are flagged based on FMCSA violations, BBB complaints, or documented scam patterns.
40 flagged · 140 researched · 0% have red flags · 2026-06-19
Why These Downtown Thousand Oaks Movers Are Flagged
Across America Moving & Storage is flagged for multiple documented issues. Air 1 Moving and Storage is flagged for multiple documented issues. Air 1 Moving and Storage is flagged for multiple documented issues. Air Ride Moving & Storage, Inc. is flagged for multiple documented issues. Ameli Moving and Storage Company is flagged for multiple documented issues. AmexMovers, Inc. is flagged for multiple documented issues. AS Transport Enterprises, Inc. is flagged for multiple documented issues. Avalon Van Lines is flagged for multiple documented issues. Ben Hur Moving & Storage is flagged for multiple documented issues. Benny's Moving & Storage is flagged for multiple documented issues. Benny's Moving & Storage is flagged for multiple documented issues. BQM Moving and Storage is flagged for multiple documented issues. California New York Express is flagged for multiple documented issues. CNS Transportation is flagged for multiple documented issues. Direct Moving and Storage, Inc. is flagged for multiple documented issues. Discount Moving & Storage is flagged for multiple documented issues. Exodus Relocation is flagged for multiple documented issues. Exodus Relocation is flagged for multiple documented issues. Fragile Van Lines is flagged for multiple documented issues. Gem Trucking is flagged for multiple documented issues. Genesis Van Lines is flagged for multiple documented issues. Golden Van Lines Inc. is flagged for multiple documented issues. Hanna International, Inc. is flagged for multiple documented issues. Hercules Van Lines, Inc. is flagged for multiple documented issues. Jet Lines Moving & Storage is flagged for multiple documented issues. Mayfield Van Line Inc. is flagged for multiple documented issues. Millennium Moving is flagged for multiple documented issues. National Relocation Van Lines is flagged for multiple documented issues. Oakley Van Lines is flagged for multiple documented issues. One Mover Depot, Inc. aka 1 Mover Depot, Inc. is flagged for multiple documented issues. Paramount Packing & Relocation, Inc. is flagged for multiple documented issues. Priority Van Lines is flagged for multiple documented issues. Priority Van Lines is flagged for multiple documented issues. Quicksilver Moving & Storage is flagged for multiple documented issues. Remington Moving and Storage LLC is flagged for multiple documented issues. Royalty Moving is flagged for multiple documented issues. Star Van Lines, Inc. is flagged for multiple documented issues. US Moving Experts, Inc. is flagged for multiple documented issues. US Moving Experts, Inc. is flagged for multiple documented issues. West Coast Moving & Storage is flagged for multiple documented issues.
Across America Moving & Storage
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in LA. AVOID per MovingScam. Whose legal name is Levi Enterprises, Inc. and which is variously listed as being in Tarzana or Van Nuys. As of 11/07 it had an 'F' rating with the LA area BBB with 92 complaints.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Air 1 Moving and Storage
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in North Hollywood. AVOID per MovingScam. Has a 'C' rating with the LA area BBB as of 11/07 and is run by the same person as Right on Time Moving & Storage. Multiple complaint threads.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Air 1 Moving and Storage
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in North Hollywood. AVOID per MovingScam. Has a 'C' rating with the LA area BBB as of 11/07 and is run by the same person as Right on Time Moving & Storage. Multiple complaint threads.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Air Ride Moving & Storage, Inc.
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Granada Hills. AVOID per MovingScam. Website airrridemoving.com. Reportedly tried to charge by cubic feet for an intrastate move, which is illegal. As of 3/07 it had a 'C' rating with the LA area BBB.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Ameli Moving and Storage Company
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Sherman Oaks. AVOID per MovingScam. MC #545001. As of 11/07 it was not licensed to do interstate moves and had a 'D' rating with the BBB.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in LA. AVOID per MovingScam. MC #534061. Phone 866-898-5444 or 866-649-6004/213-596-5997 (US Moving Experts). Website amexmovers.com or usmovingexperts.com. As of 11/07 had an 'F' rating with the BBB.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
AS Transport Enterprises, Inc.
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Northridge. AVOID per MovingScam. MC #634861. Phone 818-470-5627. Licensed for interstate moves only in 3/06.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Reseda. AVOID per MovingScam. As of 11/07 it had two BBB reports, one with an A rating and one with a C rating, so it seems to have duped the BBB. Update: as of later in 11/07 both BBB reports had an 'BB' rating (!). See thread for why to avoid it.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Ben Hur Moving & Storage
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Van Nuys (HQd in the Bronx in NYC and reportedly has a branch in Northern CA). As of 11/07 it had a 'B' rating with the LA area BBB. AVOID per MovingScam. Multiple complaint threads and RipoffReport entries. Hercules shown to be connected.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Benny's Moving & Storage
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Chatsworth (also in Watertown, MA). AVOID per MovingScam. Website bennysmoving.com. As of 11/07 it had an 'F' rating with the LA area BBB.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Benny's Moving & Storage
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Watertown (also has an office in Chatsworth, CA). AVOID per MovingScam. Website bennysmoving.com. As of 11/07 it had an 'F' rating with the LA area BBB. It might be OK for local moves but interstate moves are a different matter. 'pjobfor' had a horrible experience with them on a move from CA to Houston. 'Caloboaly' posted that he had a horrible move with them from San Francisco to Boston - they picked up his things three weeks late. 'just moved Sally' described overcharging and a long delivery delay on a move from Phoenix to Nashville.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
BQM Moving and Storage
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Tarzana. AVOID per MovingScam. Website mybqm.com. Phone 866-668-3449. As of 11/07 it had an 'F' rating with the LA area BBB. 'BQM was storing things in a Bekins warehouse as of 8/07.'
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
California New York Express
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in LA and San Francisco. AVOID per MovingScam. Website moveeast.com. As of 11/07 it had a 'BB' rating with the LA area BBB. Multiple complaint threads.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
CNS Transportation
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in LA. AVOID per MovingScam. Website cnstransportation.com. It is an alias of Gem Trucking (see below) and as of 8/07 appears to be unlicensed. It is apparently a follow-on to KX Express. All three companies are/were run by Peter Ho Kim.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Direct Moving and Storage, Inc.
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Van Nuys. AVOID per MovingScam. MC #594217. Website directmovingandstorage.com. Phone 800-255461. Contains a scam report. CA license was revoked as of 3/08. As of 11/07 it had a 'D' rating with the LA area BBB.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Discount Moving & Storage
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Van Nuys. AVOID per MovingScam. Website discountmoving-storage.com. MC #582286. As of 11/07 it has a 'F' rating with the LA area BBB.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in West Hills. AVOID per MovingScam. See discussion below under Genesis Van Lines. As of 4/08 it had a 'D' rating with the LA area BBB, which lists its owner as Shai Ben David.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in West Hills. AVOID per MovingScam. See discussion below under Genesis Van Lines. As of 4/08 it had a 'D' rating with the LA area BBB, which lists its owner as Shai Ben David.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Encino. AVOID per MovingScam. Website fraglevanlines.com. As of 11/07 it had a 'BB' rating with the LA area BBB. Someone posted in 7/08 that it functions as the West Coast branch of Oz Moving in NYC.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Wilmington or Bell. AVOID per MovingScam. It is an alias of CNS Transportation and as of 8/07 appears to be unlicensed. It is apparently a follow-on to KX Express. All three companies are/were run by Peter Ho Kim.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Canoga Park. AVOID per MovingScam. Shares MC #581674 with Exodus Relocation. Multiple complaint threads. As of 4/08 it had an 'F' rating with the LA area BBB.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Golden Van Lines Inc.
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in North Hollywood. AVOID per MovingScam. MC #560796. As of 11/07 had a 'F' rating with the LA area BBB.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Hanna International, Inc.
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Van Nuys. AVOID per MovingScam. Website hannainternational.com. MC #551204. As of 11/07 it had a 'B' rating with the LA area BBB.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Hercules Van Lines, Inc.
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in LA (also dba Hercules Moving Systems, Inc. with MC #619135). AVOID per MovingScam. MC #427618. Multiple complaint threads and RipoffReport entries. Hercules shown to be connected to two dubious or scam companies. As of 11/07 had a 'D' (extremely low) rating with the LA area BBB.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Jet Lines Moving & Storage
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in San Jose. AVOID per MovingScam. Legal name is All State Moving and Storage. Also listed in LA area.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Mayfield Van Line Inc.
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Acton. AVOID per MovingScam. MC #539988. Phone 877-668-4677. Had a 'D' rating with the LA area BBB as of 5/07. Two bad reports.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in LA. AVOID per MovingScam. MC #412746. Website millenniummoving.com. Phone 800-841-7771.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
National Relocation Van Lines
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Reseda. AVOID per MovingScam. Even though its website is nationalvanlines.us, it is completely unrelated to the reputable van line called National Van Lines. As of 9/07 National Relocation Van Lines was completely unlicensed to move anybody.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
North American agent in Poway. Website republicvanlines.com. Phone 760-942-1944. In the past, MovingScam advised customers to AVOID this company because of service issues. However, the company reportedly went out of business in 2008. 'Doreenmr' posted that she successfully sued Republic after a botched move to Honolulu with Unipack where things packaged by Republic were damaged and lost.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
One Mover Depot, Inc. aka 1 Mover Depot, Inc.
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Gardena. AVOID per MovingScam. Website onemoverdepot.com. Had a 'CC' rating with the BBB in 11/07. Bad report on local move.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Paramount Packing & Relocation, Inc.
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Tarzana or Reseda. AVOID per MovingScam. MC #572636. As of 8/07 it had an 'F' rating with the LA area BBB.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Priority Van Lines
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Northridge. AVOID per MovingScam. See above under AS Transport Enterprises for a discussion.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Priority Van Lines
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Northridge. AVOID per MovingScam. See above under AS Transport Enterprises for a discussion.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Quicksilver Moving & Storage
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in San Diego. MovingScam used to advise consumers to AVOID this company (based on comments by moving professionals). It was a Paul Arpin agent as recently as summer 2005 but it was bought out and its PUC license was revoked. Now its BBB report shows that it has gone out of business. Someone who had Quicksilver come out for an estimate on an interstate move to VA was underwhelmed.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Remington Moving and Storage LLC
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in San Jose. AVOID per MovingScam. Website remingtonmoving.com. MC #542076. As of 7/07, had an 'unsatisfactory' BBB rating because of unanswered complaints. Also in 7/07, ApartmentStores.com advised people to avoid it. The Los Angeles area BBB said that the company was formerly located in Hollywood and Los Angeles.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Chatsworth. Legal name Y & G Van Lines, Inc. AVOID per MovingScam. MC #615763. Seems to be connected with North America Relocation.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Star Van Lines, Inc.
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in Encino. AVOID per MovingScam. Website starvanlines.com. MC #586362.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
US Moving Experts, Inc.
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in LA. AVOID per MovingScam. Closely related to AmexMovers, Inc. (see above).
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
US Moving Experts, Inc.
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Independent in LA. AVOID per MovingScam. Closely related to AmexMovers, Inc. (see above).
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
West Coast Moving & Storage
BBB: NR
Independent Report: MovingScam.com | Rating: Avoid
Stevens agent in Piacentia. AVOID per MovingScam. Comments and reviews here suggest that customers should AVOID this company, which was formerly a Wheaton agent. There are two very bad reports about it on this thread, both alleging negligent damage. The president of West Coast Relocations, Inc. ('dogdependent' in Henderson, NV), Paul Buckles, came on the messageboard in 7/08 saying that his company had no current connection with the above company, West Coast Moving & Storage (Stevens) in CA. He said that in 2004 he had sold some trucks and phone numbers to the latter company, headed by Doug DeRoulets, but the latter had 'issues' and he didn't want his company to be confused with Doug's company.
Source: MovingScam.com Superlist
Red Flag Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of every documented red flag across flagged Downtown Thousand Oaks movers. Each column represents a specific type of misconduct verified through our research.
| Company | BBB | BBB Complaints | Google | Reviews | FMCSA Licensed | Crashes | Driver OOS % | Price Inflation | Claim Ghosting | Slow Work | Lost/Stolen Items | Property Damage | Rating Manipulation |
|---|
| Across America Moving & Storage | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Air 1 Moving and Storage | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Air 1 Moving and Storage | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Air Ride Moving & Storage, Inc. | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Ameli Moving and Storage Company | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| AmexMovers, Inc. | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| AS Transport Enterprises, Inc. | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Avalon Van Lines | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Ben Hur Moving & Storage | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Benny's Moving & Storage | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Benny's Moving & Storage | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| BQM Moving and Storage | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| California New York Express | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| CNS Transportation | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Direct Moving and Storage, Inc. | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Discount Moving & Storage | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Exodus Relocation | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Exodus Relocation | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Fragile Van Lines | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Gem Trucking | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Genesis Van Lines | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Golden Van Lines Inc. | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Hanna International, Inc. | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Hercules Van Lines, Inc. | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Jet Lines Moving & Storage | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Mayfield Van Line Inc. | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Millennium Moving | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| National Relocation Van Lines | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Oakley Van Lines | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| One Mover Depot, Inc. aka 1 Mover Depot, Inc. | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Paramount Packing & Relocation, Inc. | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Priority Van Lines | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Priority Van Lines | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Quicksilver Moving & Storage | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Remington Moving and Storage LLC | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Royalty Moving | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| Star Van Lines, Inc. | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| US Moving Experts, Inc. | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| US Moving Experts, Inc. | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
| West Coast Moving & Storage | NR | 0 | , | , | No | 0 | , | , | , | , | , | , | , |
Downtown Thousand Oaks Mover Safety Summary
Of 140 movers surveyed in the Downtown Thousand Oaks area, 40 (29%) are flagged as movers to avoid, 0 (0%) have at least one documented red flag, and 0 operate without FMCSA registration.
Who to Hire Instead in Downtown Thousand Oaks
See our full list of vetted movers in Downtown Thousand Oaks for alternatives with clean FMCSA records and no documented red flags.
MovingScam.com independently rates Andy's Transfer & Storage as “recommended”: North American agent in Glendale. VERY GOOD PERFORMER per MovingScam with at least 5 good reviews and no significant bad reviews as an origin agent.
MovingScam.com independently rates Andy's Transfer & Storage as “recommended”: North American agent in Glendale. VERY GOOD PERFORMER per MovingScam with at least 5 good reviews and no significant bad reviews as an origin agent.
MovingScam.com independently rates Delancey Street Movers-Los Angeles as “recommended”: Independent in Montebello. VERY GOOD PERFORMER per MovingScam with at least 5 good reviews and no bad reviews.
MovingScam.com independently rates Golden Eagle Moving Services as “recommended”: United agent in Upland. VERY GOOD PERFORMER.
MovingScam.com independently rates STS Movers as “recommended”: Independent in Westminster (legal name is Donald R. Schwartz).
MovingScam.com independently rates Sullivan Moving & Storage as “recommended”: United agent in San Diego. VERY GOOD PERFORMER per MovingScam with at least 5 good reviews and no significant bad reviews as an origin agent.
Common Red Flags in Downtown Thousand Oaks Movers
These are the most common shady practices we've documented across Downtown Thousand Oaks-area movers. Knowing these patterns can help you spot problems before they happen.
Hourly billing combined with deliberately slow work
Movers bill by the hour but carry one item at a time, refuse to use dollies, take long breaks on the clock, check phones constantly, and ignore requests to speed up. Final bills routinely double or triple the original estimate. Some movers refuse to let customers help carry items, saying 'your job is to stand here and tell us where to put things.'
- • NewRay Moving: small apartment move ran from 3:30 PM to 12:45 AM
- • Name Your Price Movers: $525 estimate became $787; $760 became ~$1,500
- • BoxStar Movers: $2,905 estimate became $5,400; $401 became $1,000
Price increases after belongings are loaded on the truck
The mover quotes a low price upfront, then dramatically increases it after your belongings are already on their truck — when you have no leverage. Some movers refuse to unload unless you pay the inflated price on the spot.
- • Great Nation Moving: estimate increased by $3,000-$4,000 after loading
- • Great Nation Moving: reviewer reports refusal to unload until paid double the quote
- • BoxStar Movers: customer told to sign and pay immediately or workers would not leave
Systematic ghosting on damage claims
After items are damaged or lost, the mover promises to file a claim or reimburse you, then stops responding entirely. Calls go to voicemail, emails are ignored, and the 'claims department' never follows up. This pattern is especially dangerous because it's invisible until after the move is complete.
- • District Relocators: multiple independent reviewers describe identical ghost pattern — file claim, get ghosted
- • JK Moving Services: $15,000 insurance paid out only $799 for shattered marble and broken china
- • NewRay Moving: offered $200 gift card for $1,500+ lost bag, then revoked offer when customer rejected
Operating interstate moves without federal authorization
The mover performs interstate (state-to-state) moves but has no FMCSA operating authority. This means they are operating illegally for interstate household goods moves, may lack proper insurance, and you have no federal recourse if something goes wrong.
- • District Relocators: FMCSA 'NOT AUTHORIZED' with 0 registered trucks, yet performs DC-to-NYC moves
- • Name Your Price Movers: MC-984109 'NOT AUTHORIZED' despite Virginia-to-Maine moves in reviews
- • American Twin Mover: no interstate authorization despite advertising long-distance moves
BBB F rating or profile under review
The Better Business Bureau assigns F ratings for failure to respond to complaints, unresolved complaint patterns, or deceptive business practices. A profile 'under review' means the BBB is actively investigating the company.
- • District Relocators: BBB F rating with 4 complaints and 1 unanswered
- • JK Moving Services: BBB profile 'under review' despite being a ~$300M company
High FMCSA out-of-service rate
When FMCSA inspectors pull over a mover's truck and find safety violations serious enough to take the vehicle or driver off the road, that's an out-of-service violation. The national average is ~6.67% for drivers. Rates above 20% indicate a pattern of safety non-compliance.
- • Name Your Price Movers: 37.5% driver OOS rate (3 of 8 inspections)
- • NewRay Moving: 33.3% driver OOS rate (1 of 3 inspections)
- • Beltway Movers: 40% driver OOS rate (2 of 5 inspections)
- • BoxStar Movers: 25% driver OOS rate (1 of 4 inspections)
Missing items and lost belongings
Items disappear during the move — from storage, during transit, or at pickup/delivery. The mover denies responsibility, blames 'strangers,' or claims the item was never on the truck despite evidence.
- • NewRay Moving: lost $1,500+ Patagonia bag used as door-holder, blamed 'strangers'
- • District Relocators: items missing from storage after 5 months, company hangs up when called
- • Great Nation Moving: missing items reported after long-distance moves
Unprofessional or hostile crew behavior
Movers who are impaired on the job, yell at customers, get into altercations with building staff, pressure for tips, or are careless with belongings. Quality varies wildly depending on which crew shows up.
- • Mic's Moving: mover reeked of marijuana and too impaired to work; verbal altercation with building maintenance
- • Mic's Moving: movers pressured customer to Venmo additional tip money
- • NewRay Moving: company accused of lying in owner responses; reviewers call out false claims
No verifiable business presence
The company has no Google Business Profile, no BBB listing, no FMCSA registration, and no independent website. They appear only on third-party quote aggregator sites. Impossible to verify legitimacy, insurance, or safety record.
- • Global Elite Movers: no Google reviews, no BBB, no FMCSA, no website — appears only on quote aggregators
- • District Relocators: mailing address is an apartment, not a commercial facility
Operating under multiple business names
The company uses different names, USDOTs, or DBAs — often to distance themselves from bad reviews or inactive registrations. Check if the legal name matches the marketing name and if previous USDOTs are inactive.
- • Beltway Movers: also operates as Ace Piano Moving Company, Fairfax Transfer and Storage, A2B Moving and Storage
- • District Relocators: also operates as 'DC To NYC Movers'
- • Name Your Price Movers: legal entity is HP GROUP LLC
Rating manipulation and review suppression
Some movers artificially inflate their Google ratings through non-disparagement clauses, review pressure, or suspected fake reviews. A high rating doesn't mean much if the company is actively suppressing negative feedback. Watch for: contracts that prohibit negative reviews, crews pressuring you to write 5-star reviews on the spot, refunds or damage compensation offered only in exchange for removing negative reviews, and suspiciously perfect ratings with very low review volume.
- • Helix Moving and Storage: offered revised pricing contingent on customer signing agreement not to post negative reviews
- • Atlanta Peach Movers: moving crew surrounded customer in their driveway and pressured them to write a 5-star review
- • Mover's Academy: offered damage refund only in exchange for customer removing their negative Google review
- • Sebastian Moving: wouldn't pay for broken heirloom unless customer agreed not to post a negative review
- • Bargain Movers: crew told customer 'I guess none is standard' when no tip was offered — tip pressure to ensure positive experience
- • MyProMovers: 5.0/5 from 5,738 reviews but only 10,000 FMCSA miles reported in 2023 — review volume doesn't match operational scale
Refunds or compensation contingent on removing negative reviews
The company offers to resolve your damage claim or issue a refund — but only if you agree to take down your negative review or sign a non-disparagement agreement. This is a form of extortion that suppresses legitimate consumer warnings and violates the Consumer Review Fairness Act.
- • Mover's Academy: offered $95 damage refund only if customer removed Google review — customer kept the review
- • Sebastian Moving: wouldn't pay for broken heirloom unless customer agreed not to post negative review — then owner yelled at customer on the phone
- • Helix Moving and Storage: sent contract with clause prohibiting negative reviews, then revised pricing contingent on signing non-disparagement agreement
How to Protect Yourself From Bad Movers in Downtown Thousand Oaks
1. Check FMCSA registration. Search the mover's USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Verify their operating authority says “AUTHORIZED” | not “NOT AUTHORIZED” or “INACTIVE.”
2. Get a binding estimate. Hourly billing is where most bill shock happens. Ask for a binding not-to-exceed estimate in writing. If the mover refuses, that's a red flag.
3. Check BBB complaints, not just the rating. A mover can have an A+ rating with unresolved complaints. Read the actual complaint text and responses.
4. Read the 1-star reviews carefully. Look for patterns | if 3+ people independently describe the same problem (slow work, lost items, ghosted claims), it's systemic, not a one-off.
5. Document everything. Photo/video your belongings before loading. Get the inventory sheet signed. Keep all texts and emails.
6. Never pay the full amount before the move is complete. If a mover demands full payment before unloading or threatens to withhold your belongings, that's illegal under FMCSA regulations.
7. Refuse non-disparagement clauses. If a mover asks you to sign a contract prohibiting negative reviews, or offers damage compensation only if you remove a review, that's a violation of the Consumer Review Fairness Act. Walk away | companies that suppress negative feedback are hiding something.
8. Be skeptical of perfect ratings. A 5.0/5 with thousands of reviews but very low FMCSA-reported mileage is suspicious. Cross-reference the mover's reported annual mileage at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov against their review volume. If a company reports 10,000 miles but has 5,000+ reviews, the math doesn't add up.
9. Don't trust a national brand name blindly. Companies like Two Men and a Truck, College Hunks, and U-Pack are franchises | each location is independently owned and operated with its own crews, management, and safety record. A great experience in one city doesn't guarantee the same in another. Check the specific franchise's Google reviews, BBB profile, and FMCSA record | not the national brand's reputation.
What This Means for You
High bad-actor density (29%). Downtown Thousand Oaks has a higher-than-average concentration of problematic movers. This means you have many options (good for negotiating price), but you need to vet carefully. Always verify FMCSA registration, read BBB complaints (not just the rating), and get a binding estimate in writing before booking.
How Moving Insurance Actually Works
Most consumers don't understand their coverage until something breaks. Here's what each tier actually means for your belongings.
Released Value Protection (default, included)
Covers your items at $0.60 per pound per article. This is what you get if you don't pay extra.
What this means in practice: Your $2,000 65-inch TV weighing 30 lbs? Covered for $18. Your $1,500 antique dresser weighing 100 lbs? Covered for $60. Your $800 laptop weighing 5 lbs? Covered for $3.
This is the tier that movers in our BBB complaint data use to minimize damage payouts. It's legal, but it's designed to protect the mover, not you.
Full Value Protection (paid add-on)
The mover must repair, replace, or pay current market value for any damaged or lost item. Typically costs 1-3% of your declared shipment value.
Example: If you declare $50,000 in value, Full Value Protection costs roughly $500-$1,500. Your $2,000 TV would be covered at $2,000 (replacement value), not $18.
Always ask about deductibles. Some movers offer Full Value with a $0 deductible; others set it at $250-$500.
Third-Party Moving Insurance
Purchased separately from companies like MovingInsurance.com or InsureMyMove.com. Covers what the mover's insurance doesn't, including items the mover excludes (electronics, high-value art).
Best for high-value or irreplaceable items. Costs vary but typically $100-$300 for a standard household move.
Important: unregistered movers (no FMCSA) have no insurance obligation whatsoever. Released Value Protection is only required for FMCSA-registered movers. If your mover has no USDOT number, you have zero guaranteed coverage.
What BBB Ratings Actually Mean (and Don't Mean)
A+ does not mean “good.” The BBB letter grade is primarily based on whether the company responds to complaints, not whether the complaints are justified or the service is good. A mover with 15 damage complaints that all received a templated response can maintain an A+ rating.
What actually matters: Complaint count, complaint text, and whether complaints are resolved vs just answered. A company with 0 complaints is more trustworthy than a company with A+ and 20 complaints, regardless of the letter grade.
Accreditation is pay-to-play. BBB Accreditation requires an annual fee. Non-accredited businesses can still have an A+ rating. Accreditation signals that the company paid for membership, not that they're better than non-accredited competitors.
“Not Rated” is a red flag.If a company has been in business for years but BBB says “insufficient information to rate,” it often means the company hasn't engaged with the BBB process at all, which correlates with avoiding accountability.
The Bait-and-Switch: How It Works
The most common moving scam pattern, documented across multiple movers in our research.
Step 1: The low quote. The mover gives an unusually low hourly or flat rate to win the booking. This quote may be verbal, vague, or based on minimal information about your move.
Step 2: The slow work. On moving day, the crew works slowly. An experienced crew can move a 2BR apartment in 3-4 hours. Bait-and-switch crews take 6-8+ hours. Since you're paying hourly, the bill doubles.
Step 3: The truck hostage. Your belongings are on the truck. The mover presents a bill far exceeding the estimate. You can either pay or they don't unload. Under FMCSA regulations, a registered mover cannot charge more than 110% of the written estimate. But unregistered movers have no such limit.
Step 4: The damage denial. If items are damaged during the move (often from careless rushing at the end), the mover cites Released Value Protection ($0.60/lb) and offers a pittance, or simply ghosts your claim entirely.
How to protect yourself: Get a binding not-to-exceed estimate in writing before the move. This locks the maximum price. If the move takes less time, you pay less. If it takes more, the price stays the same. Most legitimate movers offer this. Movers that refuse are planning to upsell you on moving day.
Moving Hostage Situations: Your Legal Rights
What is a moving hostage situation? The mover loads your belongings onto the truck, then demands a price far exceeding the estimate. They refuse to unload until you pay. Your possessions are literally held hostage.
Your rights under federal law (FMCSA-registered movers): A mover cannot charge more than 110% of the written estimate at delivery. If they demand more, they are violating federal regulations. You are legally required to pay the 110% to receive your items, and the mover must deliver upon receiving that payment. Any remaining dispute is handled after delivery.
If the mover is not FMCSA-registered: These federal protections do not apply. An unregistered mover can legally charge whatever they want and hold your belongings until you pay. This is the single biggest reason to verify FMCSA registration before hiring.
What to do if it happens: Document everything (photos, video, texts). Pay the amount required to receive your items (under protest, in writing). File a complaint with FMCSA at nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov. File a police report if you believe theft occurred. Contact your state attorney general's office.
How We Researched This
This page is independent research by Trunk. Surveyed mover profiles and red flag assessments are based on publicly available data and are not influenced by commercial relationships.
FMCSA verification: Every mover's USDOT number was looked up at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov to verify operating authority, crash records (including severity: fatal, injury, and tow-away breakdowns), inspection out-of-service rates, fleet size, and registration status. Data verified 2026-06-19.
BBB auditing: BBB profiles were audited at bbb.org for accreditation status, complaint count, complaint responses, and customer review ratings. BBB profiles audited 2026-06-19.
Review analysis: 0+ Google reviews across 140 movers were manually analyzed, including star distribution breakdowns where available. We read every 1-star and 2-star review and identified recurring patterns across independent reviewers. We do not rely on star ratings alone | a 4.8/5 with systematic damage claim ghosting is flagged the same as a 2.0/5.
Rating integrity: We cross-reference FMCSA-reported annual mileage against Google review volume to detect suspicious ratios. We document non-disparagement clauses, review pressure, and compensation-for-review-removal schemes. These practices violate the Consumer Review Fairness Act.
Geographic filtering: Movers shown on this page are filtered by a 30 to 80 mile service radius from their headquarters, based on fleet size. A 3-truck local mover has a 30mi radius; a 173-truck national mover has an 80mi radius.
Report a Bad Mover in Downtown Thousand Oaks
California is a regulated state for movers. Only verifies whether a company is licensed. Steve Weitekamp is the CMSA president (800-672-1415).
California Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
Phone: 714-236-2060
Website: cpuc.ca.gov/static/transportation/movers.htm
Federal: FMCSA SAFER