Why are over-the-phone estimates a red flag?

Companies that only offer over-the-phone estimates instead of an on-site inspection are not as reliable. Unreliable movers may quote a price that seems too good to be true and then charge more at the end. An in-home estimate helps provide a more accurate quote, and you should request the quote in writing.

What is the bait and switch moving scam?

With the bait and switch scam, a moving company offers a low estimate to win your business. After the move, they add extra fees and costs and increase the price substantially, leaving you stuck paying more than expected.

Should a moving company require a large upfront deposit or cash-only payment?

Moving companies should not demand an outrageous upfront deposit or require cash-only payment. Some reputable movers may require a small deposit, such as $100 to $200, to secure a move-out date. If the deposit is over 50%, you should review customer feedback and check accreditation such as the Better Business Bureau.

What are thin or incomplete moving contracts and why are they risky?

Some fraudulent movers provide misleading contracts with very few details and leave out critical information so they can charge more later. Your contract should clearly outline the estimated quote, extra fees, and moving day details. Read the entire contract before signing.

What happens in the delayed or never delivered belongings scam?

In this scam, movers pack and load your items and promise on-time delivery, then delay delivery for weeks or do not deliver at all. They may claim your goods are behind other shipments, or the truck may be impounded due to a licensing violation, leaving your belongings stuck in transit.

Why are unmarked trucks and lack of credentials a warning sign?

A fly-by-night mover may take your money, load your belongings, then close shop and flee. Your shipment may be abandoned on a truck or placed in private storage, and you may be forced to pay large fees to retrieve your items.

What should I do if something goes wrong with my move?

If something goes wrong, gather all necessary documentation, screenshot and print emails and text messages, identify the moving company involved, file a complaint with the FMCSA, avoid making new payments, and contact your state Attorney General. If your belongings are being held hostage, involve the authorities.

How can I spot red flags before booking a mover?

Demand an on-site estimate, verify the company has a physical address, ask for recommendations, and get three in-home estimates to compare. Choose a mover that prices by weight instead of cubic feet, and review complaint history on sites such as the Better Business Bureau.

How can I protect myself from moving scams?

Avoid paying a large upfront deposit and avoid paying cash. Make sure the truck is branded, do not sign a contract with blanks or missing details, and do not agree to a thin contract. Consider purchasing additional insurance coverage for more protection.

How do I choose a reputable mover?

Start planning six to eight weeks in advance so you can compare estimates. Ask for references, list the services you need, and research companies thoroughly. Eliminate companies that do not meet your requirements.

Why choose Allied Van Lines?

Allied Van Lines has helped individuals relocate throughout the United States and Canada since 1928. If you need reliable movers for a local, long-distance, or cross-country move, you can contact Allied for a free, no-obligation quote.

By Ryan Cox
Director, Allied Consumer Moving
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Common Moving Scams to Watch Out For

With the rise of technology and AI-powered tools, moving fraud is becoming more prevalent than ever. If you're moving soon and need to hire professional help, you'll want to know how to spot red flags and avoidmoving scams.

We’ve compiled a list of common moving scams people fall victim to year after year. After reviewing this information, you will be better equipped to recognize these scams and know how to prevent them from affecting your upcoming relocation.

What Is a Moving Scam?

A moving scam occurs when movers or moving companies misrepresent their services to deceive customers. Fraudulent movers may use misleading language or unethical tactics to build trust with you. At the end of the move, they may overcharge you, hold your belongings hostage, or even steal your items.

Common Types of Moving Scams

Moving scams are more common than you might think. Here’s a brief overview of different common scams and how they work:

Over the Phone Estimates

Companies that offer over-the-phone estimates to consumers instead of an on-site inspection are not nearly as reliable. Because of this, unreliable movers often offer clients a "too good to be true" price, and then charge more at the end of the move.

Receiving an in-home estimate will give you a more accurate estimate for your expenses. If the company refuses to offer an in-home estimate, then this is a sign that the movers are not legit.

You should request that your movers come to your home and provide you with a free moving quote. Once they have done this, ask to receive the quote in writing. Doing so will help to ensure the moving company doesn’t add any additional charges to the overall cost of your move. This information can be hidden in fine print, so ensure you read all the information provided to you in writing.

The Bait and Switch

With the bait and switch scam, a moving company will offer you what appears to be a great estimate for your move. The price seems too good compared to other rates, and you will likely hire them for the job. This is the bait!

At the end of your move, the company will then add on additional fees and costs. This, of course, is the switch. Companies will use this tactic to draw customers in by providing them with promises of inexpensive services, but later increase the price substantially. By the time the switch occurs, the move has been completed, and you, the consumer, are stuck paying more than what was previously expected.

Upfront Deposits & Cash-Only Pressure

Moving companies should never demand an outrageous upfront deposit or an all-cash-only offer. If the deposit is too high or the movers require you to cover the total cost of the move before your items are loaded onto a moving truck, you'll want to consider hiring a different moving company.

If the mover you select is a reputable company, then they will likely not ask you to pay before your relocation. Some may require a small $100 to $200 deposit to secure your move-out date. If the deposit is over 50%, you'll want to look at customer reviews or check their accreditation with the BBB.

If you're paying by certified check, you may be asked to pay for the moving services before your items are unloaded at your destination.

Thin or Incomplete Contracts

Some fraudulent movers will provide you with a misleading contract that has very few details. They will attempt to leave out critical details and charge an excessive amount at the end. When reviewing the contract, ensure the estimated moving quote, extra fees, and moving day information are clearly outlined. Be sure to thoroughly read every detail of your contract before signing any documents. Doing this will protect both you and your possessions during your move. If you believe you've fallen victim to this moving company scam, review your rights and responsibilities.

Delayed or Never Delivered Belongings

This moving truck scam may be the worst of the bunch. A mover will come and pack, load, and promise to deliver your belongings "on time." Then, they say your goods are in the back of a truck behind two other people's belongings, so you can't receive your furniture until theirs is delivered first.

Or, if the mover has a licensing violation and their truck is impounded in transit by the Department of Transportation, all your valuables are stuck on board until the truck is released. Either of these situations results in your goods being delivered weeks late, or not at all.

Unmarked Trucks & Lacks of Credentials

A fly-by-night mover will take your money, load your belongings, then close shop and flee, abandoning your shipment either on the truck or in a private storage facility. The mover will then take off with your money and belongings. If you are lucky enough to find where your belongings ended up, expect to pay exorbitant amounts of money to retrieve them from the storage locale.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

If you fall for a mover broker scam, don't panic. The first thing you'll want to do is figure out where things went wrong. Moving brokers aren't reliable because they don't actually own the moving company or work with any of the movers. They work as a middleman between you and the company. They'll offer you a good rate for services, and then find movers that will do it for that price. Since you're not actually working with the moving company, many problems can arise.

If you find yourself in a predicament, you'll want to:

Gather all necessary documentation
Screenshot and print out emails and text messages with the broker
Identify the moving company the broker hired for the move
File a complaint with the FMCSA
Avoid making any new payments
Contact your state Attorney General

If your belongings are being held hostage, you'll want to get the authorities involved.

How to Spot Red Flags Before Booking

Now that you know the common rip-offs and scams executed by a fraudulent mover, how can you avoid these common pitfalls? Below are some tips for choosing a mover for a happy, successful relocation:

Demand an on-site estimate: Allied Van Lines provides free on-site moving estimates.
Check the company's address: A real mover will have a physical address. Once you get the address, ensure you Google it or drive to the location to verify its legitimacy.
Ask for recommendations from friends, family, and neighbors: One of the best ways to find a great mover is to ask for recommendations from people who have recently moved.
Ask your real estate agent: Real estate agents help people move all the time. They are a great source for a reputable mover.
Get three in-home estimates: Get estimates from three different moving companies. If there is a significant disparity, you can easily identify the fraud.
Choose a mover who bases price by weight, not cubic feet: This will help guarantee and lock in the estimate they provide you initially.
Check the mover's complaint history: If a mover has more than eight complaints on a given website, such as the Better Business Bureau, consider hiring a different company.

Tips to Protect Yourself (Trusted Practices)

Here are some simple steps you can use to know how to avoid moving company scams:

Do not pay a large deposit: A mover that demands a large deposit upfront is likely not trustworthy. If a mover demands a large deposit, move on to a different company.
Do not pay cash: When you pay cash, there is no evidence of a transaction. Therefore, if your belongings aren't moved, or even worse, you don't get them back, you have no evidence of ever having paid for the service.
Ensure the truck is branded: Real moving companies have real moving trucks, complete with branding and logos. To ensure fraudulent movers do not drive off with your valuables, check the truck for a logo.
Do not sign a partial contract: You would never sign a loan agreement or binding contract with blanks; the same rule applies to moving contracts. Ensure the contract is complete before signing anything.
Do not agree to a skinny contract: Ensure you sign a detailed moving contract that's at least two pages. All your goods should be listed on the contract.
Buy extra insurance: A reputable mover will offer additional types of moving insurance to ensure you can have the highest protection should something happen to your valuables during the move. Allied Van Lines offers Full Valuation Coverage and Basic Liability Coverage.

How to Choose a Reputable Mover

Today's economic climate is anything but certain. People who are not relishing in this economic downturn are the most likely to become victims of moving scams. They search for the mover with the best price, not knowing that these "too good to be true" movers often are.

Here are some tips on how to choose a mover who can provide you with just that:

Start planning your move at least six to eight weeks in advance. This will give you enough time to compare estimates from different moving companies.
Ask for references. Check with others around you who have recently moved for their recommendations on a great mover.
Make a list of the services you need. Be sure to consider everything, from temporary storage to shipping your car, to ensure you get the most accurate price.
Research companies thoroughly. Look for companies in your area that can provide the specific services you need. Eliminate those companies that do not meet your requirements.

Why Choose Allied?

Since 1928, Allied Van Lines has been helping individuals relocate throughout the United States and Canada. We've spent decades building our reputation in the industry, and understand just how common moving scams can be.

If you need reliable movers to help you with your next local, long-distance, or cross-country move, you can count on us to get the job done. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.