Just like any other industry, the moving industry isn’t immune to fraudsters, and home moving scams have become more common in recent years.
To protect yourself, it’s crucial to recognize the warning signs of moving scams and understand how to avoid them.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through practical steps to ensure your move is safe, secure, and scam-free.
You may also like to read: Home Moving Insurance. Whilst not a scam, many people feel cheated by the payouts that movers insurance offers. Being underinsured is one of the most common home-moving mistakes. In this guide, we explain the different types of home moving insurance so that your move is properly insured.
1. Do Your Research and Choose a Reputable Mover
The foundation of a successful move starts with hiring a reputable moving company.
Scam movers often pop up with fake websites, lowball estimates, or limited online presence to lure in unsuspecting customers.
To avoid falling into their trap, follow these steps:
Verify the company’s credentials
In the U.S., moving companies must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have a valid U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number.
You can check this number on the FMCSA website to verify its legitimacy.
Check online reviews
Go to our extensive list of moving company reviews and read them carefully.
While some bad reviews are normal, excessive complaints about pricing discrepancies, damaged goods, or hostage situations should raise red flags.
Seek recommendations
Ask friends, family, or colleagues for referrals to trusted moving companies. Personal recommendations from people you trust are invaluable.
You may also like to read: How to Choose a Moving Company. A whole section of our home moving blog is dedicated to choosing the right mover for your needs. There is some invaluable information that will make your move cheaper and safer.
2. Watch Out for Unrealistic Estimates
One common tactic scammers use is to offer an incredibly low estimate to secure your business, only to increase the price significantly once your belongings are loaded onto the truck.
Here’s how to avoid being trapped by an unrealistic estimate:
Get multiple quotes
Obtain estimates from at least three different movers to get a sense of the average cost.
Be cautious of any estimates that seem significantly lower than the others. Scammers often use “too good to be true” pricing to lure customers.
Must do: Be sure to get at least 4 quotes from movers so that you can compare prices and services.
Request an in-home estimate
Reputable movers will offer to visit your home to provide an accurate estimate.
This allows them to assess the size and weight of your items.
Avoid movers who only provide estimates over the phone or online without seeing your belongings firsthand.
Understand the types of estimates
There are three types of moving estimates: binding, non-binding, and binding-not-to-exceed.
A binding estimate locks in the quoted price, while a non-binding estimate may fluctuate based on the final weight of your belongings.
A binding-not-to-exceed estimate ensures that even if your belongings weigh more than expected, you won’t be charged extra.
Choose the type of estimate that suits your needs, and be wary of non-binding estimates that leave too much room for sudden price hikes.
You may also like to read: Understanding the Moving Companies Paperwork. In this guide, we explain the various documents that the moving company will give to you and what you should take particular note of.
3. Be Aware of Hostage Scams
In a hostage scam, movers pack up your belongings and then refuse to deliver them until you pay a much higher fee than originally agreed upon. This is not only unethical but illegal.
Here’s how to avoid such scams:
Read the contract carefully
Ensure the terms of the contract clearly state the total cost, delivery dates, and liability for damages.
Never sign blank or incomplete documents. If anything seems unclear, ask for clarification before proceeding.
Ask about insurance and coverage options
Reputable movers offer different levels of liability coverage, typically based on the weight of your items.
Basic coverage is usually included in the price, but you may want to consider purchasing full-value protection for added peace of mind.
Avoid paying large deposits
Most legitimate moving companies do not require large upfront deposits.
If a mover asks for a significant deposit before the move, it’s a red flag.
Pay a small deposit if necessary but avoid paying cash. Using a credit card provides you with protection in case of fraud.
4. Understand the Red Flags of a Moving Scam
Spotting early warning signs can help you steer clear of fraudulent movers.
Be on the lookout for these red flags:
No physical address or company name
Scammers often operate under generic names like “Mover Inc.” or “National Movers” and may not have a physical office or location.
Always verify the company’s address and ensure they have a professional office presence.
Unprofessional behavior
Pay attention to how the company interacts with you.
If they are difficult to reach, avoid answering questions, or pressure you into making quick decisions, they could be running a scam.
Cash-only payments
Legitimate moving companies accept multiple forms of payment, including credit cards, checks, and wire transfers.
If the mover insists on cash payments, it’s likely a scam.
No inventory list or bill of lading
A reputable mover will provide you with a bill of lading (a detailed receipt of your belongings) and an inventory list. This ensures accountability.
If they don’t offer these documents, find another mover.
5. Be Cautious When Using Third-Party Brokers
While some legitimate moving brokers can help connect you with moving companies, fraudulent brokers may charge you extra fees without offering any real services or connecting you to unreliable movers.
If you choose to work with a broker, ensure they are registered with the FMCSA, and verify the moving company they assign you to before agreeing to any contract.
You may also like to read: What is a Moving Broker? Booking your move through a broker can be a convenient way to find a mover but doing so is not without risks. Whilst the majority will offer a great service, there are scammers out there. This guide tells you all you need to know about moving brokers.
6. Report Moving Scams Immediately
If you believe you’ve fallen victim to a moving scam, take action right away. Reporting fraudulent activity can help recover your losses and prevent others from being scammed.
Here’s what to do:
File a complaint with the FMCSA
Visit their website or call their hotline to report fraudulent movers. The Fraud Line Number is 1-888-368-7238.
Contact local authorities
If your belongings are being held hostage, contact the police or your state’s attorney general’s office to report the scam.
You can find your local Secretary of State office listed at www.activefilings.com
Report to the Better Business Bureau
Submit a complaint through the BBB to help others avoid the same fraudulent company.
You can file a complaint with the BBB here.
Leave a review
Ensure that you leave a review so that others are warned and do not fall victim to shady movers.
Leave a review for your mover here.
7. Stay Organized During Your Move
Organization is key to a smooth move. Keeping detailed records of contracts, receipts, and communication with your moving company can help you avoid misunderstandings and protect yourself if disputes arise.
Make sure you:
Create a moving folder
Keep copies of all documents, including the signed contract, inventory list, and any emails or texts related to your move.
Label boxes clearly
Mark boxes with the contents and the room they belong in. This helps movers know where to place them in your new home and makes it easier to check if any items are missing.
You may also like to read: How to File a Complaint Against a Moving Company. If you have found yourself a victim of a moving scam then this guide suggests the steps to be taken to help resolve the situation.
Avoiding Moving Scams
Moving scams can turn what should be an exciting new chapter of your life into a stressful nightmare.
By doing thorough research, staying vigilant, and recognizing the red flags, you can protect yourself from fraudulent movers.
Remember, reputable moving companies are transparent, professional, and dedicated to providing a seamless experience and nothing will make your move easier and less stressful than a good moving company.
But trust your instincts, and if something feels off, don’t be afraid to walk away and choose another mover.
Finally, be sure to visit our home moving blog which is packed with guides to make your home move cheaper, easier, and safer.
Good luck with your home move!
This is a great roundup of all red flags and things to know when shopping for a mover. I am not sure about BBB though. They are a for profit organization and I’ve heard about a lot of cases where rogue companies benefit from their accreditation and at the same time having so many complaints.
A company should be researched very carefully before signing using multiple sources of information just in case.
you should have used moovooz.com, They give you a flat-rate quote from multiple companies
instantly at their site.
All you have do is enter the items you're moving. They also give a 100% guarantee for their
price quotes. I just used them to move in Miami and it was Awesome!
Never use USA movers or BR movers. Learned the hard way! Still don’t have my items
Never ever use Out of State Movers based in Huntngton Station, NY. They gave me a low ball estimate of $1200 and then showed up after 12:00 on my moving date. Typical Bait and Switch move. I had to vacate that same day because my home was sold and the new owners arrived. The price then quintupled to $6500 and promised me delivery in two days. It tooks 10 days which was alright but then their driver wouldn’t deliver to my front door because of the sandy soil. He was afraid his truck would get stuck. But for an extra $600 they could get a U Haul truck to deliver to the front. I ended up hiring a bunch of kids to unload it. They made a small accommodation of $250 out of $6500 which I had to argue to get and never unpacked my stuff as promised in the contract. Terrible company. Avoid like the plague.
MX Movers are located in Brooklyn, NY. (See my review above regarding this rogue operation.0
MX Movers, located in Staten Island, NY (prior address was in Brooklyn) is a scam operation which checks all the red flag boxes for rogue movers. Unmarked, generic truck arrived one day late to pick up our possessions. Originally gave a low ball estimate then jacked up the price 70% once goods were on the truck. Lied about when move would commence as goods sat on truck somewhere in Brooklyn for six days. Falsely advertised GPS Tracking System on all their trucks, ours did not have one. This caused serious communication problems with both MX Movers representative and truck drivers as they were unresponsive to calls and texts. Delivery date kept changing causing further stress. When items finally arrived, many pieces damaged and missing. Six Certified Letters sent regarding claims process, all came back undeliverable. Representative from MX Movers finally responded only after negative review left on YELP. He stated we would be compensated if we took down our review. We said we would do no such thing. This was the move from hell!! If you value your possessions and sanity, AVOID THIS ROGUE COMPANY.
my daughter just made a move from MN to AZ. she hired National Moving Group to move her. As it turns out they are merely a broker, which they failed to disclose. They subbed the actual move out to a company called Unique Moving and Storage. Almost 3 weeks later and dozens of phone calls and conversations with very rude and uncaring people she still does not have her stuff. This is the biggest SCAM I have ever heard of. How these companies can continue to operate is beyond comprehension. I have since read reviews on both companies and they all tell of nightmare experiences.
So, who has had a credible, recommended moving experience they would wish to share? We are moving cross country and realize reliability, dependability is first on our list and then comes price. We’ve already had 3 at-home estimates and they’re all pretty much the same. Are PODS a better answer; they do come right to your front door.
Most movers are legitimate companies, but in recent years there have been many complaints about fraud. You can study some details about the moving company you have chosen to make sure you are not wasting your time and money. Please visit this page https://moveadvisor.com/move/avoid-moving-scams/