Handle With Care: Avoid Moving Scams

For many older Americans, downsizing or moving closer to family is an exciting start to a new chapter. Personal belongings represent a lifetime of memories; moving scams put all of that at risk. Read on to find out what to look for when planning a move.

How it works

• Operators build flashy websites, flood them with paid positive reviews, and claim unusually low prices to attract customers.
• At the last minute, the “moving company” may claim they need more money for more supplies or that they failed to factor in a bedroom.
• They might show up, load the truck, and then raise the price significantly and refuse to deliver your belongings if you don’t pay.
• They may charge a high upfront fee and then fail to show up entirely.

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What you should know

• The Better Business Bureau received over 700 complaints against moving companies in 2025.
• The US Department of Transportation requires interstate movers to register and have a DOT number (check the mover’s website); many states require the DOT number for intrastate carriers.
• Legitimate movers use weight to estimate moving costs while impostor companies use cubic feet because measuring volume is easier to manipulate.

What you should do

• Walk away from a company that only offers estimates over the phone.
• Be wary of large upfront payments or payments in full.
• Get everything in writing and ask questions about anything you don’t understand.
• If your belongings are held for ransom, get help from local law enforcement.
• To file a complaint against a moving company, go to the National Consumer Complaint Database Homepage at nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov.