How to Avoid Moving Scams: Red Flags Before You Hire

Red flags to watch for

• Estimate given over the phone or by email with no in-person or virtual (video) survey of your belongings.
• A quote far lower than every other estimate you received.
• A large cash deposit demanded upfront before your move.
• No physical business address, or no USDOT number you can look up.
• A company name that changes during the conversation, or a different name on the truck than on your paperwork.
• An unmarked rental truck arriving instead of a company-owned, marked vehicle.
• Pressure to sign blank or incomplete documents, or to sign quickly without reading.
• No copy of FMCSA's "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" and "Ready to Move" information.

"Hostage" shipments

In a hostage-goods scam, the mover loads your belongings and then demands far more money than estimated before they will deliver. Federal rules limit what a mover may demand at delivery: on a non-binding estimate, a mover cannot require you to pay more than 110% of the written estimate at delivery to receive your goods; the remainder can be billed no sooner than 30 days later. See your rights for details.

How to protect yourself

• Get at least three written estimates based on a video or in-home survey.
• Verify every mover's USDOT and MC numbers on FMCSA before booking.
• Pay with a credit card where possible — it can give you dispute options.
• Never sign a blank or incomplete document. Keep copies of everything.
• Be present during loading and review the inventory before signing.

What to do if it happens

• Stay calm and document everything in writing — texts, emails, names, the truck's plate and USDOT number.
• File a complaint with FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database or by phone at 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238).
• If your goods are being held, contact local law enforcement and your state attorney general's consumer protection office.
• Contact your credit card company to dispute charges where appropriate.