Why moving scams persist year after year
Moving complaints number in the thousands every year, and most scams come from repeat operations — the same scammers under different business names, with consistent patterns.
About 40 million people move every year, according to federal statistics — and with that much opportunity, the moving business attracts its share of scam artists. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) receives over 13,000 moving complaints annually, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) fields thousands more (over 8,000 in recent years). Most involve unlicensed movers, broker-only operations, and small repeat operators that change business names every few years to dodge their reputation.
Good Greek Moving & Storage CEO Spero Georgedakis has covered many of these issues in his video series on moving tips. He’s an expert at spotting scams — decades in the moving business, plus a background in law enforcement. The cheapest quote on any platform — Craigslist, Yelp, even Google — often comes from an operation that can’t include real costs: cargo insurance, workers’ comp, licensed bonded employees, USDOT compliance, vehicle maintenance, and proper claims handling. Here’s how to tell the good guys from the bad.
Moving Scams: Key Takeaways
- Common moving scams: hostage hold (most expensive), lowball quote + bait-and-switch, fake online reviews, unlicensed movers, inflated add-on fees, deposit scams, and cubic-feet (instead of weight) pricing.
- 5-step verification: USDOT at FMCSA SAFER, state IM license, workers’ comp + cargo insurance, cross-platform reputation, and a binding quote after an in-home or video survey.
- BBB receives 13,000+ moving complaints a year and FMCSA thousands more — most from unlicensed and broker-only operations.
- The cheapest quote is frequently a red flag. Choose the mid-price licensed mover with verified credentials.
The most common moving scams to watch for
These scams account for the majority of moving fraud. Recognize each pattern to avoid becoming a victim.
Scam 1: Hostage hold (most expensive)
Belongings get loaded, then the mover demands much more than quoted to deliver them.
The hostage hold is the costliest scam: a low quote, your belongings loaded onto the truck, then a refusal to deliver until you pay double or triple. FMCSA recovery rates are low — by the time recovery starts, goods are often dispersed or sold. Prevention: only use movers with verified USDOT/MC numbers at FMCSA SAFER, binding written contracts, and an established business record (not a new operation under a shifting name).
Scam 2: Lowball quote and bait-and-switch
A cheap quote first, then “surprise charges” invented on move day.
The mover gives a low quote (usually phone-only, with no in-home survey), then invents surprise charges on move day — long-carry fees, stairs, shuttle fees, packing materials, or “inventory adjustments.” By then you’re committed. Prevention: walk away from any mover that won’t do an in-home or video survey, demand a binding or binding-not-to-exceed quote, and get all possible add-ons in writing beforehand.
Scam 3: Fake online reviews
Scam movers buy 5-star reviews to manipulate rankings.
Scam operators purchase 5-star reviews on Yelp, Google, and BBB to manipulate search results. A single platform’s high rating can mean little. Detect fakes through cross-platform consistency (BBB + Google + Yelp + FMCSA complaint history together) and watch for red flags: clusters of reviews in the same week, generic language, repeated phrasing, and no owner responses. Real movers have detailed reviews across platforms and consistent ratings over years.
Scam 4: Unlicensed moving company
No USDOT number, no state license, no insurance — a large share of fraud comes from unlicensed operations.
A great deal of moving fraud comes from unlicensed operators. License verification takes 60 seconds at FMCSA SAFER (interstate) or your state agency (intrastate, like Florida DACS). The absence of a USDOT number is the single strongest scam signal. Walk away from any mover that won’t provide one, or whose number doesn’t verify.
Scam 5: Inflated “add-on” fees
Long-carry, shuttle, stairs, and elevator fees padded on move day.
Legitimate add-ons exist (long-carry from inaccessible doors, shuttle when trucks can’t park nearby, stairs, elevator coordination). Scam movers inflate them or invent new ones — hidden “inventory adjustments,” “packing materials” far above market, “redelivery,” or “unloading surcharges.” Prevention: get all potential add-ons in writing before move day and demand binding-not-to-exceed quotes.
Scam 6: Deposit and payment scams
Large upfront deposits, then a no-show or bait-and-switch.
Scam movers demand large upfront deposits (more than 10% is suspect), then either don’t show or use the deposit as leverage. Reputable movers typically charge 0-10% at booking, with the balance due at completion. Never pay full price before service, and pay by credit card when possible (fraud protection) rather than cash or wire (no protection).
Scam 7: Cubic-feet pricing instead of weight
On long-distance moves, honest pricing is based on miles and weight — not cubic feet.
For a long-distance move, your price should be based on the mileage and the weight of your belongings. Some movers quote by cubic feet — the space used in the truck — which can vary with how (poorly) they pack and becomes an easy way to inflate the bill. Go with companies that price by weight.
5-step verification to avoid every moving scam
These five steps catch the vast majority of scams before you book.
Step 1: Verify the USDOT number at FMCSA SAFER
Interstate movers must hold USDOT and MC numbers. Search the FMCSA SAFER public database by number or company name — legitimate movers show active authority, insurance on file, and operating history. Takes 60 seconds.
Step 2: Verify the state intrastate license
Movers operating within one state need a state license. For Florida, verify the IM number at Florida DACS. Confirm directly with the agency — not just the mover’s claim.
Step 3: Confirm workers’ comp + cargo insurance
Workers’ comp protects you if a mover is injured on your property; cargo insurance protects your belongings. Ask for Certificate of Insurance (COI) documents. No insurance — walk away. (Any mover that can’t clearly explain your moving insurance options, including full replacement value, is a red flag.)
Step 4: Cross-platform reputation check
Single-platform reviews are gameable. BBB rating and accreditation, 100+ detailed Google reviews, a Yelp presence, and FMCSA complaint history together reveal real reputation. Look for patterns across years.
Step 5: Demand a binding quote after an in-home or video survey
A binding or binding-not-to-exceed quote after an in-home or video survey is the gold standard. Phone-only quotes are unreliable and often precede bait-and-switch scams. Also beware movers whose phone number is hard to find or who are elusive about scheduling a survey — that “first contact” friction is itself a warning sign.
Good Greek Moving: the licensed alternative to scam risk
Good Greek Moving & Storage is FMCSA-licensed, A+ BBB rated, and the 2024 ATA Mover of the Year — verified credentials that take scam risk off the table.
Good Greek holds active USDOT and MC authority (verifiable at FMCSA SAFER), a Florida DACS IM license, and a Nevada Transportation Authority license for Nevada moves. Workers’ comp, cargo insurance, and Full Value Protection are available on every move. A+ BBB rating. 2024 ATA Mover of the Year — the industry’s top national award.
With 30,000+ moves a year and a claim rate under 2%, Good Greek offers in-home and video surveys with binding-not-to-exceed quotes. The cost difference between Good Greek and a scam operation is small; the fraud and damage risk difference is enormous. Florida, Nevada, and serving nationwide. Call (561) 683-1313 or request a free moving quote.
Moving Scams: Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a moving company is licensed?
Use the FMCSA SAFER database for interstate moves (search by USDOT number or name) and your state agency for intrastate moves (Florida DACS for Florida). It takes 60 seconds. No license — walk away. The absence of a USDOT number is the strongest scam signal.
What’s the most common moving scam?
The lowball quote + bait-and-switch — a low phone-only quote, then “surprise charges” on move day. Prevent it with a binding contract, a licensed mover verified at FMCSA SAFER, and an in-home or video survey before any quote.
What do I do if I’m a scam victim?
File a complaint with the FMCSA for interstate scams (fmcsa.dot.gov) or your state attorney general for intrastate scams. Document everything: quote, contract, payments, communications, and damage photos. Recovery rates are limited, but reporting helps shut down repeat operators.
How does Good Greek differ from scam movers?
Good Greek is licensed (USDOT + Florida DACS IM + Nevada Transportation Authority), insured (workers’ comp + cargo + Full Value Protection), conducts in-home surveys, gives binding quotes, and is the 2024 ATA Mover of the Year, A+ BBB rated, with 30,000+ moves a year and a claim rate under 2%.
Are online moving-quote aggregators safe?
Many aggregators sell your information to multiple movers and brokers — some legitimate, some not — so the flood of calls mixes both. A safer approach is to research and contact specific movers directly after verifying their FMCSA and BBB credentials.