How To Avoid Moving Company Scams and What To Do If It Happens to You
Moving company scams can turn a routine relocation into an expensive setback. A dishonest mover may appear legitimate until it has your money or belongings, which makes it much harder to walk away or recover losses.
This article covers the scams to watch for before booking, warning signs on moving day, and the steps to take if something goes wrong.
College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving is licensed and insured. With clear estimates and upfront pricing, you can hire our professional movers without worrying about the tactics rogue operators commonly use.
The Most Common Moving Scams and How They Work
Learning how to avoid moving scams starts with understanding the tactics dishonest companies use. Many moving horror stories begin with an offer that doesn’t add up.
- Lowball estimates and bait-and-switch pricing: A mover quotes an unusually low price to win your business, then raises the cost after the work has started. Customers can feel trapped once their belongings are loaded into a truck. Compare written estimates from several companies and ask what could cause the final amount to change before accepting an offer.
- Weight bumping: For weight-priced moves, a dishonest company may claim your shipment is heavier than expected and increase the bill. Ask how the weight will be measured and request copies of the certified scale tickets.
- Disappearing after receiving a deposit: A fraudulent mover collects an upfront payment but never arrives for the scheduled move. Be cautious when a company requests a large deposit, especially if it wants cash, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer payments without purchase protection. These can be difficult to reverse if the mover disappears.
- Moving broker scams: A broker may present itself as the company handling your move, even though it plans to hire another carrier. Confirm whether you're dealing with a broker and learn which company will transport your belongings before paying.
- Incomplete or blank contracts: Missing information gives an unscrupulous mover room to add charges or deny what was originally promised. Never sign a document that contains blank spaces, and make sure the agreement clearly identifies the services included.
Unauthorized credit card charges: Some movers charge more than the amount a customer approved after completing the job. Check the total before signing the receipt, and monitor your statement afterward so you can promptly dispute any unauthorized charges.
Red Flags To Catch Before Moving Day
Mover fraud rarely begins when the truck pulls into your driveway. Many dishonest operators reveal themselves while preparing an estimate or requesting a deposit. Watch for the following red flags:
- The company’s identity is difficult to verify: A legitimate mover should provide its business name and a verifiable street address. For an interstate move, the company should also have an active USDOT registration. In-state requirements vary, but the mover should still provide clear licensing information.
- The estimate is based on very little information: A mover can’t provide a reliable price without inspecting your belongings or reviewing a detailed inventory. Create a checklist of your belongings before requesting an estimate.
- A representative pressures you to book immediately: Be wary when someone repeatedly contacts you or claims the quoted price will disappear unless you pay right away. Starting your research early makes it easier to walk away from a high-pressure offer.
- The mover demands a large deposit: An unusually high upfront payment increases your risk because the company has your money before work begins. The concern grows when the mover insists on a payment method that is difficult to reverse.
- Calls are answered without the company's name: A generic greeting, such as "Moving Company,” can indicate the business operates under several identities. Ask the representative to confirm the company's legal name before continuing.
Its history doesn't match its claims: A company may say it has operated for decades, even though its website and reviews appeared recently. Search the business name with words such as "complaint" or "scam" to see whether its reputation supports its story.
Even when plans change, following a few last-minute moving tips can keep an approaching deadline from forcing a rushed decision.
How To Verify a Moving Company Before You Hire
When choosing a moving company, don’t stop at comparing estimates. A few quick checks can confirm that the business is properly registered before you pay a deposit or sign an agreement.
1. Look Up Its U.S. DOT Registration
Companies handling interstate moves must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and receive a United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number. Enter the number in the FMCSA mover search tool, then confirm that the company is authorized to transport household goods.
The business information in the database should match the mover you contacted. For a move that stays within one state, check the licensing requirements with your state consumer protection agency.
2. Review Its Federal Complaint History
The FMCSA search results also show complaints associated with registered interstate movers and brokers. Multiple reports involving similar problems may indicate a pattern, especially when the company hasn't operated for long.
3. Compare Reviews From Independent Sources
Don’t rely only on testimonials published on the mover’s website. Check independent review platforms and search the company’s name alongside terms such as “review” or “complaint.” Look beyond the overall rating. Reviews that appeared within a short period or use nearly identical language may not provide an accurate picture of the company’s history.
4. Confirm the Business Address
Enter the mover's listed address into an online map and use street-view images when available. Make sure the location exists and is connected to the business you're researching. An unusual address doesn't automatically mean the company is fraudulent. But the movers should be able to explain where they operate and provide clear information about any facility where your belongings may be stored.
Moving Fraud: What To Do If You've Already Been Scammed
If a mover takes your money or refuses to return your belongings, don't wait to see whether the problem fixes itself:
- Save every record: Keep your estimate and contract along with payment receipts, photos, and messages from the company. Write down what happened in order, including who you spoke with and when.
- Contact your payment provider: If you paid by credit card, debit card, or a payment app, report the transaction and ask whether the charge can be reversed. The FTC recommends contacting the company that handled the payment as soon as possible.
- Call the police if your belongings are being held: Contact local law enforcement if you believe the mover has stolen your possessions or is refusing to deliver them without an improper payment. Don’t try to confront the movers or recover the items yourself.
- Report an interstate mover to the FMCSA: Submit a complaint through the FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database if the move crossed state lines. FMCSA also accepts complaints about brokers, although the agency doesn’t recover money or settle individual claims.
- Contact your state consumer protection office: Problems involving an in-state move should be reported to the agency that regulates movers in your state. Your state attorney general or consumer protection office can direct you to the correct department.
- File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau: The BBB will forward the complaint to the company and request a response. This may encourage the mover to address the problem, but it doesn't replace a police or government report.
- Tell the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Submit the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses reports to identify fraud patterns and support enforcement efforts.
Choose College HUNKS for a Move You Can Trust
The best way to avoid moving scams is to research the company before booking. Check the mover’s license and make sure the full agreement is in writing. If the company demands a large deposit before doing any work, keep looking.
College HUNKS provides licensed and insured moving services backed by trained crews and experience gained from thousands of moves. You’ll receive an upfront estimate, so there are no surprise charges on moving day.
Request a free, no-obligation quote and start planning your move with a company you can trust.