Key Takeaways:
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These are the most common scams in the moving industry:
- Bait-and-switch — a too-good-to-believe low price that skyrockets later
- Hostage loads — holding your belongings until you pay more
- Fake companies that vanish with your money
- Always verify a mover’s license. Reputable movers are federally licensed, which can easily be confirmed through the FMCSA online database.
- Get quotes from at least three vetted movers to better compare services and pricing and catch any standout red flags.
Colonial Van Lines
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Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Moving scams are more common than you’d think. Some shady movers lure customers in with low quotes, demand big upfront payments, then vanish — or show up with surprise fees.
You should watch out for other red flags like:
- Large upfront deposits or full prepayment
- Vague or missing contracts
- Unprofessional email addresses or no physical business address
- High-pressure sales tactics
- Unmarked or rented trucks
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common moving scams, how to steer clear of them, and what to do if you get stuck in one.
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The 5 Most Common Moving Scams
Scammers are getting more creative — but most of their tricks fall into one of these five categories:
Bait-and-Switch Contracts
With a bait-and-switch contract, the scammers will still provide moving services as expected. Movers will show up to load your items on the agreed-upon moving day. The problem comes from the pricing. These movers will typically offer pricing that is significantly lower than the competition, often falling in the “too-good-to-be-true” range. They may pressure you into accepting the low price by saying it is only available for a limited time.
After the movers arrive, however, they inform you that you actually need to pay a much higher fee than you were initially quoted. They claim that the move is larger or more complex than expected, in the hope that you’ll feel like you have no option but to pay the higher price at the last minute.
Hostage Loads
Hostage loads are similar to a standard bait-and-switch contract, except that the scam occurs at the point of delivery instead of on moving day.
The scammers’ goal here is to pressure you into paying the higher fee just so you can get your stuff back. Essentially, The movers show up and load your stuff as planned. But when it’s time to deliver, they demand more money. If you don’t pay up, they refuse to unload — essentially holding your belongings hostage.
Fraudulent Companies
With fraudulent moving companies, you don’t get any kind of moving service at all. These companies are completely fake. They operate by taking your deposit and then never showing up on moving day.
Fraudulent companies will often:
- Request payment in full upfront
- Use different business names to escape bad reviews
- Disappear overnight
Hidden Fees
The hidden fees moving scam is similar to a bait-and-switch contract. Movers will provide a low upfront quote to entice you to choose their services. However, the documents don’t include fees for extra charges like stairs or long-carry distances.
As a result, on moving day or upon delivery, the moving company will demand more money for these or other charges. Legitimate companies will include any extra fees in their initial estimate so such charges don’t come as a surprise.
Phony Service Agreements
This is less common, but there are instances of fraudulent movers using phony service agreements to steal money and customers’ belongings. Like other scammers, they provide vague service agreements and low pricing to get customers to use their services.
The movers show up to load your belongings, but they never actually deliver them. Instead, the company will disappear — along with your belongings — after moving day.
Moving Scam Red Flags
- No physical address: Scammers will either not list a physical address on their website, only list a PO Box, or use another company’s address on their website
- No DOT number: Fraudulent moving companies won’t register with the FMCSA, and as a result will not have a DOT number or state-issued license on their website
- No virtual or in-person estimates: Fraudulent movers only offer phone or email estimates, instead of more accurate virtual or in-person options. This makes it easier to provide a lowball price and then charge higher rates later.
- Poor online reviews: Scammers will often have bad online reviews. Alternatively, they may constantly change their business name to avoid bad reviews, in which case, they won’t have any reviews at all.
- High-pressure sales tactics: Scammers try to pressure you into making a quick decision to book quickly. They don’t want you to have time to compare moving quotes or do extra research.
- High deposits: Scammers often ask for large upfront deposits, or even payment in full when you book a move. This is especially common with completely fake companies.
- Missing or vague contracts: Contracts may be vague, incomplete, or filled with blank spots. Quite often, scammers won’t provide any kind of written contract.
Avoiding Moving Scams: How To Protect Yourself
- Start with a trusted source. The best way to avoid moving scams is to use a reliable resource like FreightWaves Checkpoint to find reputable movers. We’ve analyzed more than 4,000 U.S. moving companies based on rigorous criteria including cost, availability, services, and customer reviews. We only feature licensed moving companies because brokers often hand your move off to unknown carriers, increasing your risk of hidden fees or poor service. You can also use our moving cost calculator to get estimates from vetted movers.
- Get quotes from at least three moving companies. Comparing multiple written estimates helps you spot unrealistic or “too good to be true” pricing. Big price gaps are a major red flag. You can use our moving cost calculator to get quick estimates from vetted movers and start your comparisons.
- Verify licensing and insurance. Legitimate movers will always be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). We only feature moving companies that are properly licensed with the FMCSA, but you can double-check any mover’s status through the FMCSA’s SAFER Portal.
- Get everything in writing. Always insist on a detailed, written contract that outlines services, pricing, and delivery timelines. If a mover won’t put it in writing, that’s your cue to walk away.
- Pay with a traceable method. Use a credit card or check so your payment is protected and easy to track. Never pay in cash — you’ll have no paper trail if something goes wrong.
What To Do If You Have Been Scammed
- Document everything. Save all emails, contracts, receipts, and texts — anything that could help your case.
- Talk to the mover. When possible, contact the company directly with the details of your contract. Sometimes, this can be enough to resolve the situation, especially if the problem is the result of a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate scam.
- Call your credit card company. If you paid by card, you may be able to dispute the charge and get your money back.
- Contact local law enforcement. If your stuff is being held hostage, call the police. They may be able to intervene, and it’s helpful to have a police report on file should you take the issue to court.
- Report the scam. File a complaint with the FMCSA, Better Business Bureau (BBB) and authorities in your state (like the consumer protection agency or Attorney General’s office). State authorities, in particular, may be able to help.
- Let others know. You should also leave a negative online review to warn potential customers.
- Consider taking legal action. If you still can’t resolve the situation, you might want to get help from a lawyer who specializes in consumer protection or small claims court issues.
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Colonial Van Lines
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Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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How To Pick a Reputable Mover
- Start with our moving reviews and recommendations. Our in-house experts conduct deep research into — and analysis of — moving companies based on their online customer reviews, cost and services, and other factors to give you accurate information on moving companies across the country.
- Read online reviews. Real, first-person feedback on Google, Yelp, and the BBB can provide additional insights. The more reviews a moving company has, the more likely it is to be reputable. Take time to read reviews (both positive and negative) to get an idea of the company’s quality and legitimacy.
- Get thorough estimates. When you get moving company estimates, make sure you get in-person or virtual estimates, and that the company provides a written agreement detailing your pricing, services, and moving timeline. Start with our moving cost calculator to compare rates against company estimates.
- Choose one of our recommended movers. We have thoroughly vetted our top movers by verifying their licensing and insurance information, evaluating reviews, and more. These movers have built a reputation for delivering consistent, trustworthy service so you can have peace of mind when you book your move.
FAQ
How can I tell if a moving company is legit?
A legitimate moving company will have a verifiable federal license and DOT number on their website that can also be found on the FMCSA database. Legitimate moving companies also have a verifiable physical address. These companies should also have plenty of reviews on Google, the BBB, and other sites to help you evaluate their services.
What should I do if a moving company is holding my belongings hostage?
If a moving company is holding your belongings hostage, start by gathering all of your paperwork, including the original contract and bill of lading. Try to use the information in your contracts to de-escalate the situation and hold them to the original contract terms.
If the company still doesn’t agree to release your belongings, you may need to contact a lawyer or local law enforcement. You should also file a complaint with the FMCSA, BBB, and your state Attorney General’s office.
Are online moving brokers safe to use?
Moving brokers act as a middleman to connect you with a moving company to handle your move. Reputable online moving brokers can be safe to use. However, working with an online moving broker can be dangerous, as there tends to be a higher risk of pricing scams, lack of accountability for your belongings, and other issues.
What are the major warning signs of a moving scam?
Prices that are too good to be true, no written estimates, no physical address or DOT number, and pushy sales tactics.
How can I find trustworthy movers near me?
To find trustworthy movers in your area, check out our directory of top moving companies by state. We’ve looked at these movers’ customer reviews, pricing and services, among other key factors, to find reputable movers you can trust.
Click on your state to find our top picks for both local and long-distance movers in your area. You can further streamline your search based on your current city and the destination of your move to find the best options.
