The scale of the problem. The FMCSA received 932 hostage load complaints in one recent year — triple the number from a decade earlier. The BBB reports moving as consistently one of the top-10 most complained-about industries. This guide exists because knowing the playbook is your best defense.
Scam #1: The Hostage Load
This is the most devastating moving scam. Here's how it works: a mover gives you a low quote, loads all your belongings onto their truck, then tells you the price has increased significantly and won't deliver your items until you pay the inflated amount.
You're essentially held hostage because everything you own is on that truck. Many victims pay — sometimes thousands of dollars more than quoted — because they have no other choice.
How to avoid it: Only use FMCSA-licensed carriers (verify at protectyourmove.gov). Get a binding estimate in writing before anything is loaded. Never pay in cash on delivery — use a credit card when possible so you can dispute charges.
Scam #2: The Lowball Quote
A mover quotes an unrealistically low price to win your business. Once they have your furniture on the truck or in storage, they add on fees for stairs, long carries, fuel, extra weight, or "additional services" that balloon the final bill.
The lowball quote is the gateway to most other scams. If one quote is dramatically lower than all others, treat it as a warning, not a win.
How to avoid it: Get at least 3 quotes and be suspicious of any quote more than 25% below the others. Ask every company the same questions: "Is this a binding estimate? What fees could be added?"
Scam #3: The Blank Contract
You're rushed to sign a contract with blank spaces, or the contract is full of vague language. The mover fills in the blanks later — with higher prices.
Never sign a contract with blank fields. Read every line. If the salesperson says "don't worry about that section," worry about that section.
How to avoid it: Never sign anything with blank spaces. Read every field before signing. Take photos of the signed contract immediately.
Scam #4: The Phantom Broker
You book what you think is a moving company, but they're actually a broker who sells your lead to the lowest-bidding carrier. The carrier who shows up may be unlicensed, uninsured, and completely unknown to you.
Brokers are legal and can be valuable — but you must know when you're working with one. The problem arises when brokers don't disclose they're brokers, and you have no idea who's actually moving your stuff.
How to avoid it: Ask directly: "Are you a moving company or a broker?" If broker: ask for the name and USDOT number of the carrier they'll assign to your move, and verify that carrier on the FMCSA database before signing anything.
Scam #5: The Storage Ransom
Particularly common for long-distance moves: your items are placed in storage (without your clear consent or with buried contract language), and you're charged storage fees you didn't expect. The mover won't release your items until you pay mounting daily fees.
How to avoid it: Get the delivery window in writing. Clarify exactly what happens if delivery is delayed and who bears the cost. Ensure the contract specifies that storage is only used with your explicit consent.
Scam #6: The Fake Online Review Farm
Fraudulent moving companies buy 5-star Google reviews to appear legitimate. A company with 200 perfect reviews and no complaints is statistically suspicious — real moving companies always have some unhappy customers.
How to avoid it: Cross-reference reviews on multiple platforms: Google, Yelp, BBB, and the FMCSA complaint database. Look for how the company responds to negative reviews — a professional response to complaints is a good sign. No response or combative responses are red flags.
Scam #7: The "Lost" or Damaged Items Claim
Items go "missing" or arrive damaged, and the mover's basic liability coverage (60 cents per pound) pays out almost nothing. A 50-inch TV weighing 30 lbs gets $18 in compensation under basic coverage. The scammer profits from the difference between what goods are worth and what they pay.
How to avoid it: Purchase full-value protection insurance before moving day. Take a complete video inventory of all valuable items before loading. Note any pre-existing damage on the Bill of Lading before signing.
What To Do If You've Been Scammed
File a complaint with FMCSA immediately at protectyourmove.gov
Contact your state Attorney General — moving fraud is a criminal matter in most states
File with the BBB — public complaints pressure companies to settle
Dispute the charge with your credit card company if you paid by card
Contact a consumer protection attorney — many work on contingency for moving fraud cases
In hostage load situations, contact local law enforcement — this is extortion and is a crime
Only FMCSA-Licensed Movers. No Exceptions.
Every mover in our network is verified. Compare up to 5 quotes — free, safe, no obligation.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the federal agency that licenses and regulates interstate moving companies. All legitimate movers crossing state lines must be registered with the FMCSA. Verify any mover at protectyourmove.gov.
File directly with the FMCSA at protectyourmove.gov/complain. Also file with the BBB (bbb.org), your state Attorney General, and the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov). The more complaints on record, the more likely the company faces consequences.
Moving brokers are legal and regulated by the FMCSA. The key is disclosure: a legitimate broker will tell you they're a broker, give you the carrier's information, and ensure the carrier is licensed. Problems arise when brokers act like carriers without disclosing they're not performing the actual move.
A binding estimate guarantees the price regardless of actual weight. A non-binding estimate can change based on actual weight, but federal law limits the overage to 10% above the estimate on delivery day. Always get binding estimates for long-distance moves.