Article takeaways
- Fraudulent movers often use fake credentials, low-ball estimates, and unbranded trucks to lure customers, then overcharge or disappear with their belongings.
- Always verify a company’s license through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and confirm they list a real physical address before booking.
- Reputable companies provide a free, no-obligation quote and a written, itemized estimate — never a blank contract or a demand for a large cash deposit upfront.
- If movers hold your belongings hostage for an inflated fee, document everything and file a consumer complaint with the FMCSA, the FTC, or your state attorney general.
- Getting multiple estimates, checking reviews, and staying present on moving day are simple habits that can keep your belongings safe from moving company scams.
Moving is an exciting but often stressful experience, and the last thing you need during this time is to fall victim to a moving scam.
Believe it or not, many common moving scams still exist today, and our goal is to give you valuable insights on recognizing, avoiding, and protecting yourself against these fraudulent schemes.
This article covers scam warning signs, dissects specific scams, and reveals the essential steps to safeguard your move to help ensure a smooth and secure relocation.
We’ll also reveal how SelfStorage.com’s signature search tool can help you cut down on your moving costs.
What is a moving scam, anyway?
Moving scams refer to fraudulent practices carried out by dishonest moving companies to exploit unsuspecting customers during their relocation.
These scams can take various forms, including utilizing fake credentials, overcharging, taking your belongings hostage, and bait-and-switch tactics. Some operators aren’t legitimate movers at all, but fraudulent businesses set up purely to make a quick buck off people who are too rushed or overwhelmed to ask questions.
Understanding these fraud schemes and common company scams is crucial for ensuring a safe and hassle-free moving experience.
When you move, you entrust your belongings, time, and money to a moving company. Making an informed decision is the best start. But know that you can even do all the due diligence in the world to ensure a stress-free moving day and still get taken advantage of, which is what happened to Lisa Schockemoehl, a property manager in Bradenton, FL.
“I was going from Greenville, South Carolina to Rochester, Minnesota,” she said. “When you’re moving states, you hire a moving company, right? They come pick up your stuff, move it, and the company pays for it. The people I dealt with lining it all up were so amazing. They were the sweetest people to talk to and so easy to work with. I learned later on that it was all a lie. This was the most horrific experience to date, for sure.”
While an unfortunate experience can happen, being able to spot the most common moving scams is essential because it helps you protect yourself from unscrupulous operators who could potentially damage your property or take your money.
How to recognize the moving scam red flags
Before we dive into specific moving scams, it’s essential to understand the common warning signs that can help you recognize potentially fraudulent moving companies. Here are some key red flags to be aware of and what you can do to protect yourself:
Fake credentials
Legitimate moving companies are required to have proper licenses issued by the appropriate authorities. Those suspected of scamming people have a habit of doing business under new names.
One of the first steps in avoiding moving scams is to verify the company’s credentials. Make sure they are registered and have the necessary permits to operate legally. You can typically check a company’s license through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website.
The FMCSA is the regulatory authority responsible for overseeing interstate movers. Reputable companies will also list a real physical address, not just a P.O. box or a website contact form. By federal law, movers are also supposed to provide customers with a booklet called Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.
Online reviews can be a valuable source of information when choosing a moving company. However, some scammers post fake reviews to create a positive image of their services.
A quick online search paired with the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker can help you spot patterns in reviews, such as overly positive feedback, generic language, or a lack of details. Genuine reviews often include specific information about the move and the company’s performance.
Overcharging and hidden fees
Moving companies typically provide customers with estimates based on the weight of their belongings and the moving distance they need to cover. Be sure you know what factors can influence the final cost of your move.
Did you notice any suspicious fees or scam quotes? Moving scams often involve overcharging and adding additional fees to the final bill for things like living in a multi-story home or apartment, or inflated prices for packing materials.
Watch out for vague or ambiguous language in your contract, which could be a sign of potential hidden costs or extra fees tacked onto your final balance at delivery. And never sign a blank contract — a reputable moving company will provide a clear, itemized breakdown of all costs.
If they use flat-rate pricing, they should be able to tell you exactly what’s included in that pricing. Ask if you should expect to pay anything beyond the flat-rate price, be it for packing supplies, moving truck cleaning, service fees, or anything else.
Bait-and-switch tactics
Bait-and-switch tactics involve promising one set of services and prices but delivering something entirely different. In this scam, dishonest moving companies entice customers with low quotes and attractive offers. Sometimes through phone estimates rather than an in-person estimate. Then they change the terms once the move is underway.
This is what happened with Schockemoehl. The movers she initially conversed with were selling their services, making her believe they were the ones she would work with. But, in reality, they outsourced the actual moving labor to a third-party site where anyone (licensed or not) could pick up the job. “I was thinking the people I spoke with originally were the ones taking care of my stuff,” she said. “But then it was up for grabs; they let any company decide to take the job over. And they never disclosed that they were going to hire a random person or company to do the actual labor.”
If a moving company gives you an estimate without doing an on-site inspection or does a hurried walk-through of your home, they may be planning a scam. Do you pay movers upfront? Reputable movers will not demand cash, an advance deposit, or payments in advance for services before the move.
Be wary, too, of high-pressure sales tactics that push you to commit or pay before you’ve had time to review the contract — a free, honest, no-obligation quote should never come with a rush to hand over a cash deposit.
To protect yourself from bait-and-switch tactics, always get a written agreement that clearly outlines the services and costs, and do not pay anything before the move. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
The most popular moving scams deceiving people right now
Now that you know how to recognize red flags, let’s explore some of the most common moving scams in detail:
The non-binding estimate scheme
Non-binding estimates are often used by scammers to lure in customers with low initial quotes. Once the move is in progress, they increase the prices substantially, leaving you with little choice but to pay the inflated amount.
The disappearing movers scam
In this scam, rogue movers arrive at your doorstep and load your belongings onto their truck. However, when you reach your destination, they are nowhere to be found.
Holding possessions hostage
What is a hostage load? The term “hostage load” refers to a situation where a moving company refuses to deliver your belongings until you pay an inflated fee. Scammers may hold your possessions hostage, leaving you with little choice but to comply with a company’s demand for extra payment before releasing anything on the agreed delivery dates.
Unfortunately, Schockemoehl’s story continued with this movers scam. After she called to confirm the date she could expect her belongings to arrive, she was told she needed to pay the rest of the amount owed first.
The phantom movers trick
This scam involves companies that claim to be affiliated with well-known moving brands but are not. They use similar logos, names, or websites to deceive customers.
The broker shuffle
Not every company that quotes your move is actually going to be the one moving it. Some businesses operate as brokers rather than legitimate movers: they collect your deposit and information, then resell your job to the cheapest available carrier, likely one you never vetted and know nothing about. The crew that shows up on moving day may be entirely unfamiliar with your inventory, and the original “sales” team is often impossible to reach once a dispute comes up.
The storage theft scam
Some fraudulent businesses store household goods between stops during transit. They’ll secretly disappear a few high-value items while everything sits in a warehouse. After they’ve moved in and are long gone, during your unpacking, you may notice a missing television or jewelry box that’s easy to write off as “lost in transit.”
The newly-formed company scam
Scammers will often operate under a USDOT number for a short time, collect deposits, then shut down and reopen under a new business name before complaints catch up with them.
The aftermath of a moving scam
While Schockemoehl’s story is an extreme case of what can go wrong, there are some things you can do to avoid a moving scam. When she did end up getting her things, most of her stuff had either been stolen, damaged, or was in such poor condition that it was unusable. “When I saw the truck pull up with my things, my brand-new mattress was tied to the back of the truck and had come all the way to Minnesota from Atlanta in the pouring rain,” she said.
It gets worse (if you can believe that). “I started crying. My TV stand came out in six pieces, and it’s not even meant to come apart. They tried giving me someone else’s 60-inch TV. My dining table had a crack along the side where they had attempted to superglue it together. My sofa was missing the back cushions. I had picture frames from my grandmother that were all demolished. It was absolutely terrible.”
Schockemoehl’s company ended up trying to fight the moving scam and ended up cutting their losses, which is what the fraudulent companies hope you’ll do. “I know the risk management folks were trying to reach out to the company,” she said. “They were going to sue them and never got anywhere with it. They ended up giving me a check for $5,000 to buy new stuff, and my company lost money on the deal.”
If you believe you’ve been a victim of fraud, file a consumer complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker. You can also contact your state attorney general and your local police office to formally report the fraudulent business. This creates a paper trail that can help investigators and future customers alike.
Additional tips for a safe and secure move
In addition to understanding common moving scams and your legal rights, here are some practical tips to ensure a safe and secure move with professional movers:
| ✓ | Seek recommendations: Ask friends and family for recommendations when choosing a moving company. Personal referrals can be a valuable source of trustworthy information, and a quick online search can help confirm what they tell you. |
| ✓ | Get multiple estimates: Obtain estimates from at least three different reputable companies. This allows you to compare prices and services to make an informed decision, and helps you spot an outlier quote that’s too good to be true. |
| ✓ | Insist on a written contract: Never rely on verbal agreements. Ensure that all terms, fees, and services are detailed in a written contract before the move begins. Read the contract thoroughly and ask questions if anything is unclear. |
| ✓ | Keep an inventory list: Create a detailed inventory list of your belongings. This list can help track your items and identify any missing or damaged items during the move. |
| ✓ | Be present on moving day: If possible, be present on moving day to supervise the process and ensure everything is loaded correctly. This can help prevent potential issues and let you pay special attention to how fragile items are handled. |
| ✓ | Document everything: Take photos or videos of your belongings before the move to document their condition. This will serve as evidence in case of damage or disputes. |
Understanding common moving scams and taking steps to protect yourself is crucial for a successful and stress-free relocation. Start by preparing for your move long in advance so you’re not making desperate decisions under pressure.
By recognizing the red flags, learning about specific scams, and following these tips, you can keep your belongings safe and ensure that your move goes smoothly.
Remember that knowledge is your best defense against moving scams, so stay involved, ask the right questions, and make informed choices when selecting a moving company. Don’t let fraudulent operators spoil the excitement of your new adventure – empower yourself with the information and tools to ensure a smooth and secure move.
Hiring Legitimate Movers: How SelfStorage.com Can Help Cut Down on Moving Costs
So, we’ve walked through the importance of avoiding scams and hiring legitimate movers. Or, you can rent a moving truck and take the DIY moving route. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Keep in mind that there are steps you can take with both routes that save time and money come moving day, starting with prepping for the move itself.
Self storage can play a huge role in easing your transition to your new home. For example, self storage can help you declutter and downsize before your move.
Before you even start packing, take a thorough home inventory and decide what you don’t need to take with you as you go. Any duplicates or items you don’t use either get tossed, donated, sold, or put in storage.
Since you’re moving, you’re not using storage as a permanent place to keep unwanted items, but as a decision-making tool that buys you time and mental space as you organize and pack.
And once you’ve decided what you’re keeping, pack as much as you can ahead of time and stage your moving boxes in your storage unit.
You can book one storage unit near your current place and rent a second unit at the new home you’re buying. Book these units as close to your old and new addresses as possible.
Pack and stage as many boxes and disassembled furniture into the unit as you can, little by little, during the month leading up to the move.
On moving day, you just pull up to your storage and load up your rental truck. Or have the professional movers meet you there.
Rather than wasting time moving things in and out of your house, you’re simply cross-loading your already packed items from one unit to the other.
Then you move the essentials into your new place and either return the truck or say goodbye to the movers.
Unload from the second unit into your new house, little by little at your convenience, unpacking as you go.
The rest of your stuff can stay in temporary storage, so you don’t live among boxes while you’re getting used to your new place.
But how do you find the ideal storage unit for your belongings, either near your current address or your new home?
First, you can use our self storage size guide to explore different self storage unit sizes, layouts, how many rooms’ worth of stuff they can fit, and common use cases.
Then, you decide on what storage amenities you need. Maybe you need climate control for sensitive items like antiques or electronics, for example.
