Long-distance moving attracts scammers. They use lowball quotes, hold your belongings for ransom, or disappear with your deposit. This guide covers red flags, how to verify movers, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Common Moving Scam Tactics

Scammers often give very low phone or online estimates to win the job. After loading your goods, they demand much more money before they'll deliver. Some refuse to unload until you pay. Others take a large deposit and never show. Some use fake names or broker schemes—you book with one company, but a different (sometimes unlicensed) crew shows up. Know the signs before you book. Use our moving cost calculator to get a realistic range—if a quote is far below that, be cautious.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be suspicious if: the mover has no physical address or uses a residential address; they won't do an in-home or video survey; the quote is far below others; they demand a large deposit upfront (see deposit rules below); they have no USDOT number or it doesn't check out in the FMCSA database; they refuse to put the estimate in writing; the company name on the truck doesn't match the company you booked; or they pressure you to sign a blank bill of lading. Any of these is a reason to stop and verify. Read our guide on binding vs non-binding estimates so you know what a proper quote looks like.

Red Flag	Why It Matters
No physical address	Hard to find them if something goes wrong
No in-home survey	Lowball quotes often come from no survey
Large upfront deposit	Federal rules limit deposits for interstate moves
No USDOT number or fake number	Interstate movers must be registered with FMCSA
Pressure to sign blank forms	Never sign blank documents

How to Verify Your Mover

Check the mover in the FMCSA database. Search by name or USDOT number. Confirm they're authorized for interstate household goods. Look at their safety record and complaint history. Read reviews on multiple sites—Google, BBB, and moving-specific sites. Be wary of review sites that might be biased. Visit the company's physical location if you can, or at least confirm it exists on Google Maps. Call the number on the FMCSA listing, not just the one on their website. Get everything in writing: estimate, services, and terms.

Deposit Rules for Interstate Moves

Federal rules limit how much movers can collect before delivery. For non-binding estimates, they generally cannot collect more than 110% of the estimate at delivery—and nothing upfront beyond a small deposit in some cases. Rules vary by situation. Ask the mover to explain their deposit policy in writing. Be very cautious if they demand a large cash deposit before the move. Reputable movers typically don't need huge upfront payments for interstate moves.

What to Do If You're Targeted

If a mover demands more money than agreed before unloading, don't pay cash on the spot if you can avoid it. Try to negotiate or get a supervisor on the phone. Note the truck number, driver names, and company. Take photos. Get a copy of the bill of lading. File a complaint with the FMCSA. You can also contact your state consumer protection office and the BBB. If your goods are being held, the FMCSA may be able to help. For more on your rights, see our guide on the bill of lading.

Brokers vs Carriers

Brokers arrange moves but don't do the moving. Carriers do the actual move. Both can be legitimate. But some brokers sell your move to low-quality or unlicensed carriers. Ask whether you're booking with a broker or a carrier. If it's a broker, ask which carrier will do the move and verify that carrier in the FMCSA database. The estimate and contract should clearly state who is responsible.

Summary

Verify movers in the FMCSA database. Avoid large upfront deposits. Get written estimates and never sign blank forms. If a quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. Use our moving cost calculator and long-distance moving guide to plan. Report scams to the FMCSA.