Every year, thousands of families lose money or have their belongings held hostage by dishonest moving companies. The good news? Most scams follow predictable patterns. Here are the eight biggest warning signs — and exactly what to do instead.
If one quote is 30–50% cheaper than the others, it is almost certainly a scam or bait-and-switch. Legitimate movers have similar operating costs.
What to do instead: Get three written estimates from companies with strong reputation scores. Extremely low prices are a red flag, not a bargain.
Reputable movers need to see what they’re moving. Companies that give binding quotes over the phone without seeing your home are either guessing or planning to raise the price later.
What to do: Insist on a video survey or in-person estimate. If they won’t do it, move on.
Legitimate movers usually require only a small deposit (10–20%) and accept credit cards or checks. Scammers often demand 50%+ paid via non-reversible methods.
Scammers often operate from a P.O. Box or give fake addresses. Real companies have a physical office you can verify.
Quick check: Google the address. If it’s a residential home or doesn’t exist, walk away.
High-pressure tactics like “This price is only good for 24 hours” or “We have a truck in your area tomorrow” are classic signs of a scam.
Take your time. A legitimate company will give you space to compare options.
Everything must be in writing — including pickup and delivery windows, valuation options, and extra charges.
Verbal agreements mean nothing when your belongings are on a truck halfway across the country.
Be extremely cautious of companies with only a handful of reviews or reviews that all look similar.
Use our directory to see transparent review data and recent complaint history from the FMCSA.
This is the classic bait-and-switch. The mover shows up and suddenly claims your shipment is much larger or heavier than quoted.
Protection: Get everything in writing and take photos/videos of your items before loading. Never pay the balance until your goods are delivered and you’ve had a chance to inspect them.
Use our free tools to research licensed movers, estimate your volume, and compare trusted movers.
This guide is for educational purposes. Always perform your own due diligence and report suspected scams to the FMCSA and your state consumer protection agency.