Tips for countering a moving scam

Moving scams affect thousands of people every year. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration receives tens of thousands of complaints annually about rogue movers – companies that take deposits and disappear, inflate prices on delivery day, or hold belongings hostage until customers pay inflated fees. Knowing what to look for before you book a mover is the most reliable protection you have. This guide covers every major moving scam type, the red flags that signal one, and how to verify a company is legitimate before you sign anything. If you are researching what to look for in a moving company, start here.

The Hostage Load Scam

The hostage load scam is the most serious moving scam. It works like this: you receive a low estimate, your belongings are loaded onto the truck, and then, before delivery, the mover demands a much higher payment. Your items are held until you pay. Refusing means your belongings stay in the truck. This is technically extortion, but by the time it happens, your options are limited and time-sensitive.

This scam is more common with long-distance moves, where the mover has possession of everything you own and significant leverage. Therefore, the best protection is never getting to that point, which means verifying the company thoroughly before anything is loaded.

The Lowball Estimate Bait-and-Switch

A common moving scam starts with an estimate that seems too good to be true. The mover quotes a very low price over the phone without seeing your belongings. On moving day, they add charges for stairs, long carries, extra packing materials, or fuel surcharges that were never mentioned. The final bill is far higher than the original quote.

Additionally, some companies quote by the hour and then work slowly to inflate the total. Others switch from a binding estimate to a non-binding one without explaining the difference. A binding estimate means the price is fixed. A non-binding estimate can change based on actual weight or time, and dishonest movers use this to justify charging significantly more.

What to look for: Always get a written binding estimate. Insist on an in-person or detailed virtual walkthrough before any price is confirmed. If a company quotes you without seeing your inventory, walk away.

No In-Person or Virtual Estimate

A legitimate moving company will not give you a firm price without seeing what you need moved. However, scam operations give instant quotes over the phone or by email without any inspection. This lets them quote low to win your business, then adjust the price later when your belongings are already in their hands.

Reputable movers send an estimator to walk through your home or conduct a detailed video walkthrough. This is standard practice, not a premium add-on. Furthermore, the estimator should give you a written estimate that specifies whether it is binding or non-binding and itemizes the services included.

Fake Moving Companies with No Verifiable Identity

Some moving scams involve companies that barely exist. Despite having a professional-looking website, these businesses often lack a physical address, a USDOT number, or any verifiable operating history. When you call, the person answering may use a generic greeting such as “movers” instead of identifying the company by name. Independent reviews are either nonexistent or limited to a small number of recently posted ratings.

Every legitimate interstate moving company in the United States must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and hold a USDOT number. You can verify any mover at the FMCSA’s official website. Enter the company name or USDOT number and confirm their license status, insurance, and complaint history.

For residential moving, also check that the company carries both liability and cargo insurance, and ask for the certificate.

Demanding Large Cash Deposits

Legitimate moving companies do not require large upfront deposits. A small deposit of around 10 to 20 percent may be standard for booking, but anything beyond that is a red flag. Moreover, any request for cash, rather than a credit card, should stop the conversation immediately.

Credit cards offer dispute protection that cash, Zelle, Venmo, and money orders do not. If a mover insists on cash, it often means they want to make the transaction impossible to reverse. When something goes wrong, and with cash-only movers, it often does, there is no recourse.

How to Verify a Moving Company Before You Book

Before you commit to any mover, take these steps:

• Check the FMCSA database. Verify the USDOT number, license status, and whether any complaints have been filed.
• Confirm a physical address. Search the address on Google Maps. If it shows a residence, an empty lot, or no result, that is a problem.
• Read reviews on independent platforms. Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau are harder for companies to manipulate than their own website. Look for patterns in complaints, not just the overall rating.
• Ask for the full company name and MC number. A legitimate mover will give you both without hesitation.
• Get everything in writing. The estimate, the services included, the payment terms, and the delivery window should all be in a signed document before your belongings are touched.

Read Reviews on Sites the Company Does Not Control

Reviews on a mover’s own website tell you very little. They can be curated, edited, or fabricated. Instead, look at Google reviews, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau profile. Look specifically for complaints about price increases on delivery day, damaged or missing items, or unresponsive customer service after the move. You can also read verified customer reviews from Spyder Moving clients directly on our Google profile.

Furthermore, pay attention to how the company responds to negative reviews. A company that addresses complaints professionally is a better signal than one that only has five-star reviews with no detail.

What to Do If You Have Been Scammed

If a mover holds your belongings or refuses to honor the original price, contact local law enforcement first. Then file a complaint with the FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database at nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov. If you paid by credit card, dispute the charge immediately. Document everything, keep all written communication, your original estimate, and any additional charges the mover attempted to apply.

Moving scams are prosecutable offenses. Reporting them protects other customers from the same company.

The Simplest Way to Avoid Moving Scams

The most reliable protection against moving scams is hiring a company with a verifiable track record, a real physical presence, and transparent pricing from the start. Spyder Moving and Storage is fully licensed, bonded, and insured. We serve Mississippi, Tennessee, and Colorado with residential and long-distance moving. Our USDOT number is 3187084.

• Our Denver movers serve the Colorado Front Range with written estimates and verified credentials.
• In the Mid-South, our Memphis movers cover Tennessee and surrounding states with the same licensed, insured service.
• In Mississippi, our Oxford movers handle residential and long-distance moves across the state.

Get a free estimate today and move with a company you can verify.