How to Avoid Moving Scams: A Step-by-Step Guide

To avoid moving scams, verify the mover's FMCSA registration before you call, get a binding written estimate from at least three companies, read the Bill of Lading line by line before signing, and never pay a large cash deposit upfront. These four steps stop the overwhelming majority of moving fraud.

Moving scams cost Americans real money and real stress. In 2024, the Better Business Bureau received more than 700 complaints against moving companies, with victims losing an average of $754 per incident. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted 135 investigations that same year into interstate movers suspected of fraud. Most victims had one thing in common: they did not verify the company before signing anything. This guide walks you through every step to avoid becoming one of them.

Any company that moves household goods across state lines must be registered with the FMCSA and hold a valid USDOT number and operating authority (MC number, though as of October 2025 the FMCSA uses USDOT numbers as the sole identifier). Before you request a quote from any company, look them up.

Go to **safer.fmcsa.dot.gov** and search by company name or USDOT number. You are looking for:

• **Operating status: Active** — if it reads "Revoked" or "Not Authorized," stop.
• **Cargo insurance on file** — carriers must maintain a minimum of $10,000 in cargo insurance under federal law, though many reputable movers carry far more.
• **Household goods authority** — the authority type should include HHG (household goods) for interstate residential moves.

The FMCSA also maintains a searchable database of movers who have received consumer complaints at ProtectYourMove.gov. Cross-reference any company you are seriously considering. For in-state moves, your state's department of transportation or public utilities commission handles licensing — search "[your state] mover license lookup" to find the right agency.

For local moves, the AMSA (American Moving and Storage Association) member directory is a useful secondary check. Membership requires adherence to the AMSA's Code of Ethics and participation in a dispute resolution program.

The most common moving scam is the bait-and-switch: a company provides a suspiciously low written estimate, loads your belongings, then demands a much higher payment before unloading — often holding your goods hostage until you pay. FMCSA data shows this "hostage goods" scheme is the number one complaint category in Operation Protect Your Move, the agency's annual crackdown launched each summer.

The antidote is simple: **get a binding or not-to-exceed estimate in writing from at least three companies.**

• A **binding estimate** locks the price. The mover cannot charge more, even if the actual weight is higher than estimated.
• A **not-to-exceed estimate** means you pay the binding price or the actual weight-based price, whichever is lower.
• A **non-binding estimate** is a best guess. The mover can charge up to 110% of the estimate on delivery (the "110% rule" under 49 CFR Part 375). This is legal, but if your final bill is dramatically higher, you have little recourse beyond arbitration.

Reputable companies will insist on seeing your home — in person or via video call — before giving an estimate. Any company that quotes over the phone without a survey of your belongings, or that quotes dramatically lower than competitors, is a warning sign. See our guide to binding vs. non-binding moving estimates for the full breakdown.

The Bill of Lading is your moving contract. It must be presented to you before the move begins, and you have the right to read every line before signing. Under FMCSA regulations, it must include:

• The mover's name, USDOT number, and physical address (not just a PO box)
• The pickup and delivery addresses
• The agreed price and the type of estimate (binding or non-binding)
• The valuation/liability level you selected
• An inventory of major items

If the company's name on the Bill of Lading does not match the name in the FMCSA database, or if the document is blank in any field they pressure you to leave blank "to fill in later," do not sign. Walk away. A legitimate mover will not object to you reading a document before signing it.

Also check: the Bill of Lading must show a phone number and address where you can reach the company on moving day. If the only contact is a cell phone number and a Gmail address, that is a significant concern.

A legitimate interstate mover typically requires no deposit at all, or a nominal deposit of no more than 10-20% of the estimated cost. If a company demands 25%, 50%, or full payment upfront before the move, that is a red flag associated with phantom companies — businesses that collect payment and disappear, or that broker your move to an unlicensed carrier without your knowledge.

Pay the deposit by credit card if at all possible. Credit card disputes (chargebacks) give you a meaningful avenue for recovery if the company vanishes or refuses to deliver your goods. Cash, wire transfer, Zelle, Venmo, prepaid cards, and cryptocurrency offer no such protection — and a mover that will only accept those payment methods is steering you away from any recourse on purpose. That preference alone is reason enough to walk away.

Watch the payment timing as well as the method. The bulk of the bill should come due at delivery, after your goods arrive and you have inspected them — not before the truck leaves the origin. A demand for full payment before pickup, or a sudden insistence on cash on delivery that was never mentioned during the estimate, is a classic pressure tactic used in hostage-goods schemes.

If you are working with a moving broker — a company that arranges moves but does not own the vehicles — the diligence doubles. Brokers are legal, but federal rules require them to register with the FMCSA, carry a $75,000 surety bond, and give you the FMCSA booklet *Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move*. Confirm in writing which carrier will actually transport your goods, then verify that carrier separately in the FMCSA database before you pay anything. Never let a broker collect the full cost of the move upfront, and be wary of any broker that will not name the carrier until after you have paid.

Even if you do everything right, disputes can arise. Here is what federal law gives you:

**The 9-Month Claim Window.** You have 9 months from delivery to file a written damage or loss claim with the mover. File in writing the day damage is discovered, even if you plan to negotiate first. Missing this deadline eliminates your right to compensation.

**The 110% Rule on Delivery.** If you have a non-binding estimate and the final weight is higher than estimated, the mover can charge up to 110% of the estimate on delivery day. The remaining balance (above 110%) must be billed separately and is due within 30 days. If a mover demands more than 110% in cash before unloading, that is a federal violation — call FMCSA immediately at 1-888-368-7238.

**Arbitration.** Every interstate mover must participate in a neutral arbitration program for disputes up to $10,000. Ask the mover to provide information about their arbitration program in writing before the move.

**FMCSA Complaints.** File at ProtectYourMove.gov. Complaints are logged and contribute to FMCSA's enforcement targeting. In 2023, Operation Protect Your Move uncovered more than 1,000 regulatory violations; the DOJ filed a civil enforcement case arising from that sweep.

Avoiding moving scams comes down to one habit: verify before you commit, and never let urgency override due diligence. A legitimate mover welcomes the FMCSA lookup, hands you a written binding estimate, and explains every line of the Bill of Lading. The safest way to start is to request an estimate and compare registered companies side by side, rather than chasing the lowest phone quote you can find. Pair that with the vetting steps above, and the schemes that cost victims hundreds of dollars a year simply have nothing to grab.

**What is the most common type of moving scam?** The hostage goods scam — where a mover loads your belongings then demands far more than the estimated price before unloading — is the most frequently reported scheme in FMCSA complaint data. Having a binding or not-to-exceed estimate in writing before the move is the primary defense.

**How do I verify a moving company is legitimate?** Search the company name or USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and ProtectYourMove.gov. The company must show "Active" operating authority and valid cargo insurance. For local moves, check your state's transportation or public utilities commission.

**Can a mover legally hold my goods hostage?** No. Holding household goods to extort payment above a binding estimate is a federal violation under 49 CFR Part 375. Contact FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238 and your state attorney general immediately if this happens.

**What deposit is normal for a moving company?** Most reputable interstate movers require no deposit or a deposit of no more than 10-20% of the estimate. Demands for 50% or more upfront — especially by cash or wire transfer — are associated with fraudulent operators.

**Should I use a moving broker?** Moving brokers are legal but require extra diligence. The broker must disclose that it is a broker (not a carrier), identify the actual carrier in writing before the move, and confirm the carrier is registered with the FMCSA. Never pay a broker the full move cost upfront.

**Where can I report a moving scam?** File complaints with FMCSA at ProtectYourMove.gov, the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org, and your state attorney general's consumer protection division. For criminal fraud (identity theft, wire fraud), file with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. For broader guidance on what to look for before you book, see our guide to how to find a reputable mover.