Moving scams have surged 35% since 2024, with the average victim losing $2,800 per incident as fraudulent operators exploit the stress surrounding relocations. With the moving industry projected to grow 12%, understanding how to identify and avoid moving fraud has become critical for protecting your belongings and finances.

The Better Business Bureau receives approximately 13,000 complaints about movers annually, with overcharging accounting for 57% of all moving complaints filed with the FMCSA. This guide reveals the specific red flags, verification methods, and legal protections that can save you thousands.

The hostage scam: the most devastating fraud

The hostage scam represents the most destructive moving fraud. Fraudulent movers provide impossibly low estimates—often 40-60% below market rate—to secure bookings. They load your belongings, then refuse delivery unless you pay dramatically more, sometimes triple the original quote.

A recent South Florida case saw a senior quoted $427, then charged $4,400 on moving day—a 930% increase. Federal officials launched Operation Protect Your Move, a nationwide crackdown targeting companies that hold possessions hostage during peak season when 80% of annual moves occur.

12 critical red flags that signal fraud

1. No in-home or virtual inspection

Legitimate moving companies need to see what they're moving to provide accurate pricing. Companies that quote binding estimates over the phone without viewing your home or conducting a video survey are automatically suspect. Proper estimates require assessing furniture dimensions, special items requiring extra care, stairs, narrow hallways, and total weight—all impossible to determine remotely.

2. Unusually low estimates

If one quote is significantly lower than others—especially 30-50% below competitors—that's a major warning sign. Scammers deliberately underbid to secure business, knowing they'll demand more once your belongings are loaded. According to Move.org data, less than 41% of people who moved in 2020 paid their initial quoted cost, but reputable companies provide reasonably accurate binding estimates.

3. Large upfront deposits or cash-only demands

Legitimate moving companies typically request 10-20% deposits and accept credit cards, checks, or electronic transfers. Scammers demand 50% or more upfront, often insisting on cash, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency—payment methods that leave no recourse for disputes. This serves dual purposes: securing immediate payment before disappearing and making charge disputes impossible.

4. Missing or unverifiable USDOT number

Every legitimate interstate moving company must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and display a USDOT number on their website, trucks, and paperwork. Verify this number through the FMCSA database to confirm licensing, insurance, and complaint history. Companies operating without valid USDOT numbers face federal penalties—which is why scammers avoid registration entirely.

5. No physical address or local presence

Fraudulent operations work from mailboxes, use generic email addresses instead of company domains, and have no verifiable physical location. Companies that answer phones with generic "movers" or "moving company" rather than their official business name are hiding their identity—often because they frequently change names to escape bad reviews and legal trouble.

6. Blank contracts or verbal-only agreements

Professional moving companies provide detailed written contracts including binding cost estimates, service descriptions, pickup and delivery dates, liability coverage, and complaint resolution procedures. Never sign paperwork with empty spaces where prices, dates, or services should be listed—scammers use these blanks to add charges later.

7. Refusal to provide required federal documents

Federal regulations require interstate movers to provide customers with "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet, FMCSA's Ready to Move brochure, an estimate, order for service, bill of lading, and inventory list. Companies that don't offer these documents are violating federal law—a clear indication of fraudulent operations.

8. Excessive complaints about hostage situations

Multiple reviews describing price gouging or hostage situations indicate systematic problems. Check Google, Yelp, and BBB for patterns. Suspiciously perfect scores suggest fake reviews.

9. Rental trucks on moving day

Professional movers use company-owned, branded trucks with USDOT numbers. Unmarked rental trucks signal scammers operating anonymously.

10. High-pressure tactics

Fraudsters create urgency with "today only" pricing. Legitimate companies give time for careful consideration.

11. Door-to-door solicitation

Uninvited solicitors are scams. Reputable movers build business through referrals and established reputations.

12. Inadequate insurance

Scammers offer minimal or fake coverage. Companies refusing written insurance details lack legitimate protection.

How to verify moving company legitimacy

Start with the FMCSA's company database to verify USDOT numbers, registration, insurance, and complaints. Check BBB Business Profiles for ratings and patterns—the public viewed mover profiles two million times in 2019.

Search company name plus "scam" to find unreported incidents. Review multiple platforms—Google, Yelp, Angi—for specific complaint details. Verify physical addresses through Google Maps. Confirm companies operated under the same name for years—frequent name changes indicate evasion of bad reviews.

Your legal rights and protections

Federal regulations through FMCSA protect interstate move consumers with rights to accurate estimates, transparent pricing, and proper insurance. If belongings are held hostage, document everything and contact police immediately.

File complaints with FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database—complaints trigger investigations. Report to BBB, which mediates disputes and maintains public records warning others. Contact your state attorney general for intrastate moves.

Organizations like MoveRescue provide free assistance, negotiating with fraudulent movers. Pay with credit cards for fraud protection—immediately dispute fraudulent charges.

The true cost of moving fraud

Beyond financial losses, scams inflict severe emotional damage through lost family heirlooms and irreplaceable keepsakes. One Chicago operation scammed 800+ customers of $3 million between 2017-2020. The BBB estimates $19 million in losses since 2015, though actual costs likely exceed this since fewer than 10% of victims report fraud. Average reported losses reach $16,200 per claim.

Protect yourself in 2026

Get three written estimates from licensed companies with verified USDOT numbers. Schedule in-home surveys for accurate quotes. Request binding "not-to-exceed" estimates guaranteeing maximum costs. Read contracts thoroughly—never leave blanks.

Start researching early to avoid rushed decisions. Document everything: photograph belongings, keep paperwork copies, maintain email trails. Create detailed inventory lists. Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, it probably is. Hours spent verifying legitimacy save thousands and prevent heartache.