Red flags to avoid when hiring a moving company
The most common moving scams share a pattern: get a low quote, take a large upfront payment, then hold your belongings hostage for more money once they're already on the truck. Here are the warning signs to catch before you book, not after.
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8 moving company red flags to watch for
Large upfront deposit
Legitimate movers may take a small deposit to hold your date. A demand for a large deposit, or full payment before loading, is one of the most consistent scam signs.
No local address or physical office
A company that operates only through a phone number and a generic website, with no verifiable address, is harder to hold accountable if something goes wrong.
No written estimate
A verbal quote with no follow-up written estimate leaves you with nothing to dispute if the final price is dramatically different.
Unmarked trucks or rental trucks for a 'professional' move
Established movers typically use branded, company-owned or -leased trucks. An unmarked truck isn't automatically a scam, but it's worth asking about.
Refuses an in-home or video walkthrough
For any move larger than a small apartment, a phone-only quote with no walkthrough is a common way to lowball an estimate before raising it later.
Name similar to a well-known company
Some operations use a name deliberately close to a major van line to look more established than they are — always verify the USDOT number, not just the name.
Pressure to sign or pay immediately
Legitimate movers give you time to review the estimate. High-pressure tactics to book or pay on the spot are a common scam pattern.
Blank or incomplete inventory list
You should get a copy of your inventory list before the truck leaves. Being asked to sign a blank or incomplete one is a red flag for a damage-claim dispute later.
Price jumps sharply after the truck is loaded
A well-documented scam pattern: a low initial quote, then a demand for significantly more once your belongings are already loaded and you have little leverage to say no.
No answer when you ask who actually performs the move
If a company won't clearly confirm whether they're the carrier or are brokering your move to someone else, that's worth pushing on — see our guide on moving company vs. broker.
How to verify a mover before you book
- Look up their USDOT number directly on FMCSA SAFER — don't just trust what's printed on their site or truck. See our full USDOT/MC verification guide.
- Check reviews on multiple platforms, not just the one the company links you to
- Confirm whether you're booking a carrier or a broker — see our guide on moving company vs. broker
- Get the estimate type in writing: binding, non-binding, or binding-not-to-exceed
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If something goes wrong with your mover
Document everything — photos, emails, the written estimate and inventory list. File a complaint with the FMCSA if you suspect fraud or a serious violation, and dispute the charge with your card issuer if you paid by credit card and the company won't resolve the issue directly.
These patterns are actively prosecuted, not just theoretical
Moving fraud isn't a hypothetical risk the industry warns about for liability reasons — the FMCSA runs an active fraud task force that has taken formal enforcement action against household goods movers and brokers, and the agency operates "Protect Your Move" (ProtectYourMove.gov) specifically as a consumer education and complaint-reporting resource for exactly the scam patterns described above. (Source: FMCSA) If a company you're vetting shows more than one of the red flags on this page, treat it as a real risk, not an overreaction.
Additional operational red flags to watch for when hiring movers
- Lack of proper equipment — no dollies, furniture pads, or appropriately-sized trucks on the day of the move suggests a company cutting corners on more than just price.
- Slow or evasive communication before booking — if getting a straight answer to basic questions is already difficult before you've paid anything, expect it to get worse after they have your deposit and your belongings. (Source: Holland Movers)
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Frequently asked questions
A demand for a large cash deposit — especially more than 20-25% of the estimate, or payment in full before the truck is loaded. Legitimate movers may ask for a small deposit to hold your date, but full or near-full upfront payment is one of the most consistent signs of a scam.
For anything larger than a studio or small 1-bedroom, yes — a phone-only or online-only quote for a full household is a common way movers lowball an estimate, then raise the price sharply once your belongings are already on the truck.
Look up their USDOT number directly on FMCSA SAFER — don't just trust a number printed on their website or truck. See our full guide on verifying a USDOT/MC number.
Get everything in writing immediately — the estimate type, itemized services, and delivery window. If they've already taken a large deposit and you can't get clear answers, you can report the company to the FMCSA and, for card payments, dispute the charge with your bank.