How to avoid moving scams

Most movers are honest, but moving fraud is common enough that FMCSA runs a dedicated consumer program, Protect Your Move. The most damaging scam is the "hostage load": a company quotes a low price, loads your belongings, then refuses to deliver unless you pay much more.

10 red flags

1. A quote without seeing your belongings. A reliable price needs an in-person or video survey.
2. A price far below every other estimate. Lowball quotes are the start of most hostage-goods scams.
3. A large cash deposit up front. Be very cautious about paying a big deposit, especially in cash or by wire.
4. No USDOT number, or one that doesn't match the company name, for an interstate move.
5. No physical address, or an address that is a residence or mailbox service.
6. Unmarked or rental trucks on moving day.
7. No written estimate, or pressure to sign blank or incomplete documents.
8. Not giving you the FMCSA booklet Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move for an interstate move.
9. A broker pretending to be a mover. Brokers must say they are brokers and tell you which carrier will move your goods.
10. A changing company name, or phone answered with a generic "movers" greeting.

If your belongings are held hostage

For an interstate move with a non-binding estimate, the mover can't require you to pay more than 110% of the estimate at delivery to release your goods. The rest must be billed afterwards. If a mover refuses to deliver:

• Keep copies of the estimate, order for service, bill of lading and all messages.
• File a complaint with FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database (call 1-888-368-7238, or online).
• Contact your state attorney general or consumer protection office, and local police if goods are being withheld unlawfully.

Protect yourself before booking

Follow our checklist for checking a moving company. It takes about ten minutes.

Sources: FMCSA Protect Your Move; 49 CFR Part 375. Last reviewed November 2026.