Moving is almost always an adventure – but not always in a good way. Even with proper due diligence, it can be hard to identify and steer clear of companies out to scam or deceive you. Keep reading for some helpful tips to avoid becoming a victim.
Common tricks used by scam movers
Illegitimate or shady moving companies may try one or more of these approaches to get your business, money, or even your stuff.
The lowball moving estimate
This tactic involves movers offering an unrealistically low price to get your signature on the dotted line. Be cautious — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Once the company has your belongings, it may hold them hostage, demanding a much higher fee to deliver them.
The average cost to move across the U.S., according to a recent Forbes Home article, is $4,600, but costs can start around $2,400 and soar to $15,000 or higher. A shorter local move might cost $1,200 but increase to over $7,000 if you have a larger house and lots of stuff.
Large upfront deposits
Reputable movers typically request minimal or no deposits upfront. Your deposit should be $500 at most. If someone asks for a significant amount of money before the move happens, consider it a major red flag.
Missing or unbranded trucks
Legitimate movers have a clear business address and use their own branded vehicles. Depending on the state they’re located in, they may be required to display licensing information on their trucks. Be wary of companies lacking transparency about their location or those relying solely on rental trucks.
Fake moving credentials
To appear legitimate, fraudulent movers might show you fabricated credentials, including a bogus U.S. Department of Transportation (US DoT) number or certification. You can verify the credentials a moving company provides on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website to confirm the US DoT number matches an official record.
Disappearing acts
In this scam, movers vanish after loading your belongings onto the truck. Unlike the lowball estimate or price gouging, they abscond with your items altogether. If you find yourself a victim of this particular trick, it might be too late to mitigate the damage, which is why it’s so important to watch for the red flags already mentioned.
No-show movers
Some scammers might provide an estimate and collect an upfront deposit, only to disappear on moving day. While deposits don’t inherently indicate a scam, a no-show, especially with no communication, is a major red flag. Moving delays aren’t uncommon, and there are simple tasks you can take to deal with late movers. But no-shows can be an indicator of a scam.
Warning signs of a potential problem with a moving company
In the chaos of moving, the last thing you need is a dishonest mover. The following warning signs are red flags.
Missing written estimates
A reputable mover always provides a detailed written estimate outlining services, costs, and potential additional fees. Be wary of companies that only offer verbal quotes or that won’t put the terms of your agreement in writing.
Sight-unseen estimates
Getting an accurate moving price can be difficult without assessing the volume and complexity of your move. Companies that offer online or over-the-phone estimates without asking for information like your origin and destination addresses, number of bedrooms, square footage of your home, and amount of furniture may plan to add exorbitant charges after the move — and before they deliver your stuff. It’s a good thing for companies to send a representative to your current living space to gauge the number of trucks and personnel your move requires, though remote estimates are common. It’s not necessarily a red flag if a company does not offer or need to perform an in-person visit.
Unprofessional conduct
Companies whose employees exhibit unprofessional behavior — like answering the phone generically without citing a company name or lacking clear communication — warrant caution. Pay attention to how moving companies communicate with you because their professionalism, or lack thereof, can reflect the quality of work you’ll receive.
Reputable companies don’t avoid answering the phone, and they call you back when you’ve left a message. Those who provide unclear explanations about their services or costs might be attempting to deceive you.
Unrealistic damage coverage, guarantees or promises
Companies that say they’ll cover all damages regardless of cause should raise suspicion. The same goes for organizations that guarantee no damage will occur. Reputable movers offer various insurance options, and it’s worth researching them.
Missing information
A trustworthy mover provides its physical address, a copy of FMCSA’s “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” document, and references or customer reviews upon request.
Recommended reading from Yahoo Local: 10 things to know before you hire a moving company
Real-life red flags spotted too late
Sometimes, you might spot possible warning signs but not immediately recognize them as red flags. When Jennifer Walker’s family moved across town in Indianapolis, Ind., five years ago, everything seemed fine initially.
“The woman I spoke to who called within minutes after I completed the online request was nice and professional. I gave her all my notes, like needing floor coverings because our carpet was brand new and we were switching out washing machines,” said Walker.
But then the movers arrived four hours late — and unprepared. “They brought nothing to protect the carpet because it ‘wasn’t noted,’” Walker said. “The woman I had spoken to originally said they’d wrap the furniture so we didn’t empty our drawers. They did not. All kinds of stuff fell out, including the proprietary screws to my son’s crib.”
Walker said she couldn’t just run to the hardware store for replacements, and her son had to sleep in the guest bed for a few days until the replacements arrived. “The movers lost a 10 x 8-foot playmat. It never showed up, and they never made an effort to find or make good with it,” she said. “They never answered our calls. And while they were at the old house, there were a few instances where they were wildly inappropriate. My husband stayed with them while I went to the new place, and he went back with them for the second trip, so I didn’t have to be alone with them.”
Even though the Walkers had done their homework — and the initial contact was positive — Walker says she should have trusted her instincts when the other employee called to confirm the appointment the day before their move. “He did not sound professional,” she said, “and I asked to confirm he knew about the washing machine switch and the carpet. He said no and allegedly wrote the notes down again. That was a serious red flag, but at that point, it was too late to cancel.”
“Nothing was broken, so I guess it’s a 3/10 experience,” Walker said. “We left a scathing online review hoping others would see it and not hire this company.”
Do your homework, avoid moving scammers
When you’re planning your move, dedicate time to finding a trustworthy mover. Start by asking people you know for recommendations in your area. A positive experience from a friend, acquaintance, or family member is a strong endorsem*nt — but don’t just take their word for it. Once you have your list, look up the companies online, visit their websites, and read customer reviews on platforms like Yahoo Local, Yelp or Google.
Narrow your choices to those moving companies with professional-looking websites and many positive reviews. Then, check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or similar organizations that track complaints and company reputations to see if they’re registered. (Read our guide to BBB accreditation and complaints for details on how the system works.) You can also check FMCSA’s registered mover database.
Finding the right mover also requires comparing estimates from two or three companies. Reputable movers will request a detailed inventory of your belongings before providing a quote, and some will send someone to walk through your home in person. Be wary of companies offering significantly lower prices than the competition orcompanies that require a large deposit. Legitimate companies won’t require more than 20% of the total moving cost before transporting your stuff.
Research helps — but nothing’s foolproof
Even if you do everything by the book before a move, you’re never guaranteed a seamless experience.
After downsizing her large home in Williamsburg, Va., in 2022, Allison Wetzel’s mother planned to move to an assisted living community in Richmond. The family decided to hire movers to help pack and move everything, and they got the name of a moving company from the facility they were moving her into. “They had a deal where if you contracted with them, they’d take $200 off the bill,” said Allison Wetzel of Bethlehem, Pa. “That savings was bogus because the end bill was many thousands of dollars over the original quote.”
The woman in charge of the move gave Wetzel second thoughts during the process, as well. “She broke several antique bowls while packing,” said Wetzel. “The company also broke four or five crystal glasses worth $100 each.”
When they arrived at the assisted living facility, one of Wetzel’s mother’s glass tables was badly scratched. “The moving company tried to say someone scratched it before the move, but I had taken pictures before they packed the truck,” said Wetzel. A floor lamp with a glass table attached was also significantly damaged.
“It wasn’t until after Mom was settled in her apartment and she talked to people in her building that we found out the moving company had a bad reputation,” she said. After the move, the company refused to answer or return phone calls. The company eventually paid for a small portion of the damage, but only because the family had opted for the insurance offered by the moving company.
Even though they researched options extensively online, Wetzel said they should have talked to those who’d hired this company before her mom signed the contract. “If you can speak to people first-hand and get their impressions, you should,” said Wetzel. “You won’t necessarily get an objective review from a company website. We should have checked with BBB, too.”
Trust your instincts
Moving is a whirlwind experience, but with planning and awareness, you can confidently navigate the process. Being aware of common moving scams is a first step. By recognizing red flags like suspiciously low quotes or large upfront deposits, you can avoid these common deceptive tactics.
Finally, don’t be afraid to walk away from situations that feel off. Remember: legitimate companies prioritize customer satisfaction and a smooth moving experience.
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