How to Avoid Moving Scams: 9 Red Flags Before You Book

1. No physical address or in-person estimate

Legitimate movers, especially for larger homes, should be willing to do an on-site or detailed video survey before quoting a long-distance move. A company that only quotes over the phone with no walkthrough is more likely to lowball you upfront and demand more on delivery day.

2. No USDOT number for interstate moves

Any company moving your belongings across state lines is legally required to have a USDOT number issued by the FMCSA. You can look up a company's number and complaint history for free at the FMCSA's official website before booking — never skip this step for an interstate move.

3. A huge deposit required upfront

Reputable movers typically require little to no deposit, and never in cash only. Large upfront deposits, especially demanded in cash or by wire transfer, are one of the most common precursors to a "hostage shipment" scam, where your goods are held until you pay more than quoted.

4. A quote that's dramatically lower than everyone else's

If one quote comes in far below every other estimate you've gotten, that's a signal — not a deal. Lowball quotes are frequently used to win the booking, with the price "adjusted" upward once your items are already on the truck and you have little leverage to say no.

5. No written, binding estimate

Get every quote in writing, and understand whether it's binding (the price won't change) or non-binding (an estimate that can shift based on actual weight/hours). A company that won't put pricing in writing is one you should walk away from.

6. Vague or unverifiable reviews

Check reviews across multiple platforms, not just the company's own website. Be wary of a company with only a handful of reviews, all posted in a short window — that pattern often indicates incentivized or fake reviews rather than organic customer feedback.

7. A generic or unbranded truck

Legitimate moving companies operate branded trucks with the company name and USDOT number displayed. A rental truck showing up with no company branding on moving day is a warning sign, especially if it doesn't match the name on your contract.

8. Pressure to sign immediately

High-pressure sales tactics — "this rate is only good if you book today" — are a common scam pattern. A legitimate company will give you reasonable time to compare quotes and make a decision.

9. No proof of insurance

Ask for proof of liability and cargo insurance before booking, not after something goes wrong. A company that hesitates or can't produce this documentation shouldn't be handling your belongings.

How we vet our partner network

Every mover in our network is checked for active licensing, insurance, and USDOT registration (for interstate moves) before we ever match a customer with them. When you request a quote, you're getting matched with a partner that's already cleared this bar — not rolling the dice on an unknown company.