A suspiciously low quote, no meaningful survey, blank paperwork, or pressure to pay more after your belongings are loaded are all warning signs. None proves fraud on its own, but several together—especially a low estimate followed by a demand for extra money—are reason to pause, verify the company, and avoid signing or paying under pressure.
Warning signs to check before you hire a mover
A quote without a meaningful survey
Be cautious if a company prices your move without inspecting your belongings or asking for a complete description and inventory. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) flags estimates made sight unseen; the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says a mover should inspect the property in person or ask for a full description before estimating. Request a survey and a written estimate that reflects your shipment and requested services. Compare more than one written estimate, not just the lowest number. FMCSA’s red-flag guidance and the FTC’s advice on hiring a moving company explain what to look for.
No clear written price—or a promise to decide after loading
Do not proceed on a verbal price, an estimate with no amount, or a promise that the mover will set the price after loading. Ask for the estimate and terms in writing before the move, and keep every version. If the company refuses, choose another mover.
A large deposit or cash-only demand
A substantial upfront deposit or insistence on cash is a warning sign identified by the FTC and FMCSA. It is not proof of fraud by itself, but it is a reason to verify the company, written terms, and payment method before committing. Do not let a deadline or pressure tactic prevent those checks.
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Blank or incomplete forms
Never sign a blank form or paperwork with important details missing. A signed document may later be completed with terms you did not agree to. Read each form, keep a copy, and photograph it if the mover will not provide one. FMCSA’s red-flag guidance recommends retaining copies of signed documents.
Unclear identity, address, or operating details
Be wary if the company has no verifiable local address or will not clearly identify its legal business name, registration information, or insurance information. A generic phone greeting, uncertainty about which truck or carrier will arrive, or a company name that differs across the estimate and other paperwork calls for follow-up. Ask who will physically transport your belongings and verify that operator rather than relying on a name or number supplied in a sales call.
Vague promises about insurance or protection
Ask what loss-and-damage protection applies, what it costs, and how the mover calculates payment if an item is damaged or lost. Do not assume that a claim that your belongings are “insured” means you have full replacement coverage. Get the explanation in writing and review the terms before signing.
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Verify the mover’s authority—and identify any broker
For an interstate household-goods move, check the company in FMCSA’s mover search. Review its registration, household-goods operating authority, insurance information, and complaint history. Registration alone is not enough: FMCSA cautions that a company may be registered without being authorized to move household goods. These live records can change, so check them when you are choosing a mover.
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For an intrastate move, consult the appropriate state or local agency. Federal interstate requirements do not settle every in-state move; licensing and consumer rules vary by state.
Ask whether you are dealing with a broker or a carrier
A broker arranges transportation; the carrier is the mover that physically transports the shipment. If you are speaking with a broker, ask for the actual carrier’s legal name and identifiers before move day, then check that carrier’s status too. FMCSA says interstate brokers must be registered, identify the movers they use, use registered movers, and base estimates on the transporting mover’s tariff. When a physical survey is applicable, the transporting mover must conduct it, though consumers may have an option to waive it. Read the terms before agreeing to a waiver. See FMCSA’s explanation of movers and brokers.
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Compare estimates on more than price
Put estimates side by side and check whether they describe the same shipment and services. A low figure can be misleading if it leaves out goods, services, or delivery terms that appear in another estimate.
- Registration and operating authority appropriate for the route.
- The identity of the actual carrier, including whether a broker is arranging the move.
- Whether the estimate is written and based on a survey or complete shipment description.
- The inventory, included services, and delivery terms.
- Deposit and payment terms.
- Complaint history.
- How loss-and-damage protection works and what it covers.
FMCSA’s mover-selection guidance covers estimates and other checks to make before hiring.
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Understand what a changed estimate may mean
A low initial quote can be part of a serious warning pattern: a mover quotes without adequately surveying the shipment, loads the belongings, then demands substantially more money before delivery or unloading. FMCSA describes this tactic as a reason to be alert. A changed estimate is not automatically proof of a scam; the shipment details, estimate type, and circumstances matter.
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For interstate moves, FMCSA explains that under a non-binding estimate, the amount generally due at delivery is subject to a 110% limit; its FAQ also says a mover generally cannot require more than 100% of a binding estimate or 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, with additional charges billed later under applicable rules. These limits are not a blanket rule that a mover can never change a price. Check the estimate type and applicable terms, and consult FMCSA’s moving-company FAQ for the details.
If a mover claims your shipment contains more than estimated, ask for the change and its basis in writing before loading. Do not sign revised blank or incomplete papers. If the mover demands unexpected payment after loading or refuses delivery, preserve your records and seek help promptly.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do if the move is already going wrong
Preserve the evidence
Save all versions of the estimate, contract, bill of lading, inventory, receipts, messages, call records, and photos. Keep records of what was agreed, what was loaded, what the company demanded, and when. FMCSA accepts supporting document uploads with complaints, including estimates, bills of lading, and inventories.
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Report an interstate household-goods problem
File a complaint with FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database or call 1-888-368-7238. Be ready to provide company and shipment details and relevant documents. FMCSA says complaints are kept in the company’s record and may inform investigation decisions; filing does not guarantee a particular outcome.
Contact other appropriate agencies
If you believe your belongings or money are being unlawfully withheld, consider contacting local law enforcement. You can also contact your state consumer-protection agency or attorney general. The FTC accepts reports of suspected scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Individual rights and remedies depend on the contract, estimate, shipment, and jurisdiction; seek local legal or consumer-protection assistance if the dispute is urgent.
Red flags deserve a pause, not a guess
FMCSA’s guidance is direct: “If you spot a red flag while searching for a mover or broker, do not work with that company. Keep searching until you find a reputable company.” The agency’s statement appears in Spot the Red Flags, last updated November 4, 2024. In particular, do not let a low quote or a loaded truck force you into accepting unclear terms: verify the carrier, preserve the paperwork, and get help through the appropriate channels.
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