Moving Company Scams
Americans lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, according to the FTC.
Quick Answer
Moving company scams defraud consumers by holding belongings hostage for exorbitant fees, with total losses projected to reach $1.59 million in one year.
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How It Works
1
A fraudulent moving company, often found online, provides a low-ball estimate over the phone or email without a thorough in-person inspection. They may have a professional-looking website with fake positive reviews to appear legitimate.
2
The company requires a large upfront deposit to secure the moving date. On moving day, the crew may arrive in a rented, unmarked truck rather than a company-branded vehicle.
3
After loading the truck, the movers dramatically increase the price, claiming the items weighed more than the estimate. They then hold the belongings hostage, refusing to deliver them until the victim pays the inflated fees, which can be thousands of dollars more than the original quote.
4
In other variations, the movers may not show up at all after collecting a deposit, or they may steal items by never delivering the shipment to its destination. Contacting the company becomes impossible as phone numbers are disconnected.
Red Flags
- The company provides a low estimate over the phone or online without a visual inspection of your belongings.
- A large cash deposit or significant down payment is required before the move.
- The company's website has no local address, no information about their motor carrier license, or no proof of insurance.
- Movers arrive in a rented moving truck instead of a company-owned or branded vehicle.
- You are asked to sign blank or incomplete documents.
- The company has no online presence or has an overwhelming number of negative reviews and complaints filed against it.
- The business name is generic or has been changed recently.
What to Do If Targeted
- Research the company thoroughly. Check their complaint history with the Better Business Bureau and verify their license and insurance status through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database for interstate movers.
- Get multiple in-home written estimates. A legitimate mover will want to see everything you plan to move to provide an accurate quote.
- Never pay a large deposit. Reputable movers do not demand cash or large payments upfront before they begin the move.
- Read everything carefully before signing. Never sign blank or incomplete contracts. Get a written agreement that includes all costs, pickup and delivery dates, and liability coverage.
- Pay with a credit card. Paying with a credit card offers more protection and the ability to dispute fraudulent charges compared to cash, wire transfers, or apps.
- If your belongings are being held hostage, file a report immediately with local law enforcement and the FMCSA.
How to Report It
- FTC — File a fraud report with the Federal Trade Commission to help law enforcement investigate.
- FBI IC3 — Report internet-based moving fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
- FMCSA — File a complaint against an interstate moving company with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- BBB — Report the scam to the Better Business Bureau to warn other consumers.
- FCC — File a complaint about phone scams, robocalls, or unwanted calls with the Federal Communications Commission.
- AARP Fraud Helpline — Call 877-908-3360 for free support from trained fraud specialists. Available to anyone, not just AARP members.
Key Statistics
- The projected financial loss from moving scams in 2023 was $1.59 million, a 42% increase from 2022. — HireAHelper / BBB 2023
- The average consumer lost $836 to a moving scam in 2023. — HireAHelper / BBB 2023
- Complaints about moving companies were projected to increase by 35% in 2023 compared to the previous year. — HireAHelper / BBB 2023
- The Better Business Bureau (BBB) receives an average of 13,000 complaints and negative reviews about moving companies each year. — BBB
- In 2023, the BBB received more than 17,000 complaints and negative reviews regarding movers. — AARP 2024
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Frequently Asked Questions
A hostage load scam is when a moving company provides a low estimate, loads your belongings onto their truck, and then demands a much higher payment before they will deliver them. This practice is illegal, and victims should report it to law enforcement. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) received 932 hostage load complaints through July of one recent year, surpassing the total for the entire previous year.
The average amount lost to a moving scam in 2023 was $836, a 7% increase from the prior year. The total financial toll from these scams was projected to reach $1.59 million in 2023, which was a 42% increase over 2022.
Yes, complaints about moving companies are on the rise. After a dip in 2022, complaints were projected to grow by 35% year-over-year by the end of 2023. In the first five months of 2023, 12% more scam reports were filed with the Better Business Bureau compared to the same period in the previous year.
For interstate moves, you can verify a company's license and insurance status using the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) database. You should also check the company's profile, including reviews and complaints, on the Better Business Bureau website at BBB.org.
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