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Can a Moving Company Keep Your Stuff?

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No, moving companies can’t keep your stuff without a valid reason. However, scam movers have become more prevalent, and they may withhold your belongings in an attempt to extort more money from you. It’s typically a more common issue for interstate moves, but it could happen locally as well.

Unless you skip the agreed-upon bill or miss the delivery window, moving companies have to give you back your belongings. If either of those apply, contact the company first to resolve the issue — you may need to pay a legitimate balance or arrange a new delivery. Local regulations and your bill of lading (BOL) outline the return process.

With that said, it’s good to know what to do if bad movers steal your stuff. We’ve broken down everything you need to know, including legitimate and illegitimate reasons movers withhold items and how to proceed in either case.

Common Reasons Movers Might Hold Items

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates reasonable timelines for interstate deliveries. According to the FMCSA, movers are required to transport goods in a timely manner. They must notify you of any delays beyond the agreed-upon delivery date detailed in your BOL. So if your movers don’t arrive on time, there should be a clear explanation, and if there isn’t, that’s a red flag.

You Haven’t Paid in Full Yet

A customer pays movers with a phone app

If you haven’t paid in full yet, movers can hold your stuff temporarily. They’ll put it in storage and charge you for the extra costs until you pay. Typically, details about retaining possession of your items are outlined in the Bill of Lading (BOL). The BOL defines all terms and agreements between you and your carrier, and it also outlines whether you have a binding or non-binding estimate.

Binding estimates mean your agreed-upon quote is exactly what you pay. Prices only change if you add extra items or services. A non-binding estimate gives you a ballpark price, but the final bill will likely vary. If the final bill is over 110% of the non-binding estimate, your mover must accept payment of 110% of the estimate upfront. The remaining charges can be deferred for 30 days.

Delivery Delays

Sometimes, delays happen. Severe weather, natural disasters, and equipment breakdowns can stretch out the delivery timeline. This is more likely during a long-distance or cross-country move. However, companies still must make efforts to deliver in a timely manner, and should try their best to communicate any delays.

If you want to learn more about delivery windows and how long moving companies have to get your belongings to you, read our blog How Long Does a Moving Company Have to Deliver?

You Missed the Delivery Window

If you’re not present to accept your delivery during the agreed-upon time, your moving company may place your shipment in storage. In this case, you’ll incur extra storage fees that you must pay before they release your items to you.

 

“According to the FMCSA, movers are required to transport goods in a timely manner. They must notify you of any delays beyond the agreed-upon delivery date detailed in your BOL.”

 

This is why it’s important to know your delivery window so you can make plans to be there to accept your belongings on time. However, emergencies and other life issues crop up, so if you miss the arrival of your things, communicate with your moving company about getting your stuff back as soon as possible.

Also, to avoid surprises, it’s smart to double-check your inventory list (if you created one) so you know exactly what’s being stored and can confirm everything arrives when it’s finally delivered.

You Were Scammed

A woman sits on the floor of a room that's empty except for a small stack of boxes next to her

Some scammers might disguise themselves as moving companies. They may move your belongings from Point A to Point B, but then they refuse to surrender your items until you pay more than the price you initially agreed to. In other words, they’re holding your stuff hostage.

Look out for scam movers by carefully vetting any companies you consider booking. Red flags include:

  • Requiring a large upfront deposit
  • Not providing a written contract or estimate
  • Not showing a certificate of insurance or licensing
  • Negative reviews or no reviews
  • Low estimates that get inflated with hidden fees
  • Demanding payment in cash
  • Not having a physical address or office
  • Arriving in a rental truck instead of a company-owned vehicle
  • Pressuring you to sign new contracts or changing payment terms after loading your belongings

What to Do if a Moving Company Won’t Release Your Belongings

A woman sits at a table with an upset expression. A laptop and several papers are spread across the table and she's on the phone

If a moving company isn’t releasing your belongings, first determine if they can’t or won’t. A weather-related or otherwise reasonable delay may require some patience, and should be something the movers bring up proactively. However, if movers are holding your stuff hostage, take these steps:

  1. Document all communication: Start documenting every time you communicate with the company. Note when they make demands for payment.
  2. Contact the moving company: Ask the moving company why they’re holding onto your belongings. If you booked your move through HireAHelper, contact us directly. We use a trusted network of movers and can help settle any disputes.
  3. Review your contract: Contracts from reputable moving companies should include details about disputes and how to handle them. Review your contract to see if anything applies to your situation.
  4. Report the company to the Better Business Bureau (BBB): If you still can’t get your items released after satisfying your end of the contract, contact the Better Business Bureau. You may get some assistance resolving the dispute through it.
  5. Contact local authorities: If you have concerns that you’ve fallen for a scam, contact your local police non-emergency line. Also, contact the governing body for movers in your area, which may be the local Department of Transportation or another agency.
  6. Contact a transportation lawyer: If necessary, reach out to local lawyers with experience in the field. They often offer free or low-cost consultations in which they can inform you of your rights and determine whether you have a case.
  7. Explore legal action or mediation: In some cases, you may need to seek legal action against the moving company. This should be a last resort, as it can take months or years to settle the case.

If your move crosses state lines, disputes become more complicated. However, you can then involve federal agencies. File a report with the FMCSA against the moving company. This escalates the severity of the situation, and the moving company may face penalties.

 

“Typically, details about retaining possession of your items are outlined in the Bill of Lading (BOL). The BOL defines all terms and agreements between you and your carrier, and it also outlines whether you have a binding or non-binding estimate.”

 

You can also file a claim for lost or damaged goods, especially if you have moving insurance. Contact the insurance provider and involve them in the situation. You might not get your items back, but you should receive reimbursement for them.

Protecting Your Belongings

It takes a lot of trust to hand over most or all of your possessions to a moving company. With a few precautions, you can minimize your risk of a hostage load situation.

  • Avoid putting highly valuable items into a moving truck unless absolutely necessary
  • Pay for extra moving insurance so you have a way to be compensated if the movers damage, lose, or steal your belongings
  • Choose professional movers with a trustworthy reputation
  • Choose cross-state movers or brokers registered with the FMCSA
  • Read all contracts and the BOL carefully before signing and handing over your belongings
  • Book your movers through a trusted platform like HireAHelper

The Shocking Rise of Moving Scams and How to Outsmart Them

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The BBB estimated that the average moving scam victim lost $350 in 2023, while a staggering 5,918 complaints were made about bad actors posing as legitimate moving companies.

Meanwhile, a Yahoo Finance piece projected that moving scams would cost consumers over $1.5 million in 2024, a 42% jump from the previous year. As these numbers continue to climb, you should know how these scams work and why they’re so rampant.

Below, we break down the most common moving scam tactics, how to spot them, and a step-by-step plan for keeping your move safe. We’ve also included a few bonus homeowner scams to watch out for — because nobody wants to be blindsided by fraud when settling into a new place.

Common Types of Moving Scams

a man angrily talks on the phone while surrounded by moving boxes

It can be tempting to pick a mover offering a cheap moving quote without doing much research. Unfortunately, that’s exactly where many moving scams begin. Let’s take a look at the most widespread ones.

Fake Moving Companies (Bait-and-Switch Tactics)

Some scammers pose as legit businesses with polished websites and paid-for fake reviews. They offer strikingly low quotes compared to typical market rates. Once they pick up your stuff, they switch the rate to something much higher or tack on bogus charges, holding your belongings hostage until you pay.

Hostage Loads

With a hostage load scenario, the mover arrives and loads your items, then refuses to deliver them unless you cough up significantly more money. These hostage-style threats can turn an already stressful situation into a nightmare.

Overcharging and Hidden Fees

Even real moving companies can indulge in shady fee structures. They’ll hook you with a friendly phone quote but bill you afterward for extra labor, time, fuel costs, or equipment fees that were never disclosed. If you challenge it, they threaten to hold onto your belongings unless you settle the inflated bill.

Rogue Movers Disappearing With Belongings

Some moving scam criminals don’t even bother with a hostage approach — they just vanish with your property. Victims in these cases might end up filing police reports or insurance claims without any guarantee of recovering their items or getting their hard-earned money back.

How to Spot a Moving Scam

Staying alert to moving scam red flags can keep you from falling into a scammer’s trap. Here’s what to look out for:

  1. Lack of credentials: All interstate movers must be registered with the FMCSA and have a USDOT number. If a company refuses to provide this info — or they don’t appear in the FMCSA database search results — it’s a major red flag.
  2. Refusal to provide a written quote or perform inspections: Reputable residential movers typically need to see your items (in person, via video/photos, or inventory list) before quoting. If the mover refuses to give you a moving quote in writing, or insists on giving a blind quote, that’s suspicious.
  3. No booklet: By law, interstate movers must give you a copy of the FMCSA’s Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet and the Ready to Move brochure. If a mover doesn’t provide these, they’re likely clueless or crooked. Either way, this isn’t someone you should trust with your stuff.
  4. Excessive deposit demands: Some movers ask for modest deposits, but if they want a large chunk upfront, beware. Unscrupulous movers may insist on high deposits, then disappear.
  5. Pushy sales tactics: If they pressure you to sign a contract immediately or won’t let you read the fine print, something isn’t right.
  6. Location matters: Some states, including Florida, are hotbeds for moving scams. In 2022, 3,338 out of 7,647 FMCSA moving scam complaints nationwide came from the Sunshine State. As of 2023, Florida still led with roughly 1,871 out of 3,907 complaints.

The FMCSA has put together an official moving checklist to help consumers stay confident throughout the process.

 

“Write down dates, times, names, and every conversation you had with the mover. Save all emails, text messages, contracts, estimates, and receipts, and take photos of any damaged or missing items. Documentation is essential when reporting the scam or pursuing legal action.”

 

Additionally, you can look up the mover’s name on Google, the FMCSA’s Consumer Complaint Database, and the BBB’s Scam Tracker to see if any complaints pop up. If you see patterns of overcharging or unprofessional behavior, move on quickly.

Steps to Avoid Moving Scams

Knowledge is your best packing partner. Consider this section your personal scam-proof-your-move toolkit:

  • Verify the moving company’s USDOT number if you’re moving interstate. For local moves, consult your state’s consumer protection offices.
  • Don’t rely solely on star ratings on one platform. Skim real-life feedback from the BBB and reputable consumer websites.
  • Choose a mover using a comparison tool that shows you prices, reviews, services, credentials, and availability for vetted moving companies.
  • The FMCSA suggests that getting at least three quotes reduces the risk of picking an outlier. If one quote is conspicuously low (say, 30% lower than average), question it.
  • Have the mover outline any extra fees for stairs, heavy items, or extended carry distances.
  • A binding estimate is supposed to lock in your price, while non-binding may fluctuate. Know which one you’re signing.
  • Make sure all fuel surcharges, labor add-ons, long-haul fees, and appliance service fees are spelled out in advance.
  • Document your jewelry, furniture, electronics, and fragile items. If necessary, take photos or videos for insurance claims. And if at all possible, move these important items with you instead of with the movers.

At HireAHelper, we believe local moving services should be transparent and cost-effective. Here’s how we help:

  • We compile price quotes from top-rated, vetted Service Providers so you can compare immediately.
  • Authentic feedback from real customers helps you pick a moving team you can trust and that meets your specific needs.
  • If a mover cancels or fails to show, we step in to help you find another option, alleviating last-minute stress.

But what if, despite your caution, you find yourself a victim of moving fraud?

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

a man sits with his head in his hands at the foot of the stairs in his home with moving boxes around him

If you suspect that you’ve fallen victim to a moving scam, acting quickly can make all the difference. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

    1. Record everything: Write down dates, times, names, and every conversation you had with the mover. Save all emails, text messages, contracts, estimates, and receipts, and take photos of any damaged or missing items. Documentation is essential when reporting the scam or pursuing legal action.
    2. Local law enforcement: Report the incident to your local police department.
    3. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): File a complaint with the FMCSA online. Include your full documentation and a clear timeline of events. The FMCSA cares deeply about protecting consumers against moving scams. It developed the Protect Your Move initiative and doubled the number of investigators assigned to moving fraud.
    4. Better Business Bureau (BBB): Submit your complaint via the BBB’s Scam Tracker.
    5. State Attorney General’s office: Contact your state’s attorney general to report fraudulent moving practices and seek further assistance.
    6. Consult a Lawyer: Local legal associations can help you find affordable representation.
    7. Small claims court: If your losses are below your state’s small claims threshold, consider filing a claim.
    8. Credit card dispute: If you paid with a credit card, contact your card issuer immediately. Many banks offer fraud protection and may reverse charges for unauthorized transactions.
    9. Insurance claims: If you purchased moving insurance or the mover provided insurance, file a claim to cover lost or damaged items. Review the policy details carefully to ensure you follow the proper claim process.
    10. Consumer advocacy: Utilize the resources available at the consumer sentinel network.
    11. Online forums and groups: Join dedicated groups on Facebook or Reddit where victims share their experiences and advice.
    12. Local consumer protection offices: Many cities have non-profit consumer advocacy groups that provide free advice and support.

Other Common Homeowner Scams to Watch For

Moving isn’t the only time homeowners face fraud. Take a look at these other scams that can pop up when you’re buying, renting, or maintaining your home:

Home Repair Fraud

  • Red flag: Contractors knocking on doors unannounced, claiming your roof or driveway needs urgent repairs.
  • Tip: Verify licensing and references. Don’t pay in full until the work is done and inspected.

Fake Landlord or Rental Scams

  • Red flag: A landlord asking you to wire money before you see the unit or sign a lease.
  • Tip: Always view the property, meet the landlord, and confirm ownership before handing over funds.

Insurance Fraud Schemes

  • Red flag: Suspiciously low quotes from brokers with no clear documentation of what’s covered.
  • Tip: Contact reputable insurance companies or use official marketplaces. If necessary, ask for credentials and an NAIC ID.

A Scam-Free Move is a Happy Move

A safe move starts with awareness. By following the tips and tactics outlined here, you’ll turn a daunting task into a smooth ride — no scams, no regrets.

If you’ve encountered a moving scam, sharing your story can help others stay vigilant. Post it on neighborhood forums, get on social media, talk to friends, and encourage family members to do thorough research before hiring a mover.

Ready for a stress-free move? At HireAHelper, we connect you with trusted professionals who prioritize honesty, professionalism, reliability, and transparent pricing. Compare real quotes in minutes and see for yourself how easy moving can be when you’re in control.

2024 Study: Moving Scams Falling in the US, But Growing Costlier

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Overall Findings

  • Moving scams and associated fraud are projected to decline by 9% in 2024
  • The total financial toll of moving scams is projected to be $32.2 million, 5% more than last year
  • A typical moving scam has cost Americans 23% more so far in 2024 (median of $431) compared to last year’s total ($350)
  • “Issues with quotes and charges” (18%), “Deceptive business practices “(16%), and “Missing documentation” (14%) are the most common moving scams so far in 2024

Local Insights

  • Ohio (-77%) and Arizona (-72%) are set to see the biggest drop in moving scams
  • Moving scams are on the rise in Alabama (+106%) and North Carolina (+96%)
  • In Florida, one moving scam complaint is registered for every 262 moves, the worst ratio in the U.S.
  • Miami, FL (75) and Port St. Lucie, FL (71) are cities most affected by moving scams, roughly 1 scam for every 70 moves

Moving scams continue to persist, but by how much?

Last year, the number of complaints lodged against moving companies with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was 8,769, a 15% increase over 2022.

FMCSA complaints span a whole range of issues, from:

  • Non-licensed movers
  • Lack of documentation to significant damage to transported items
  • No-shows
  • Hostage loads
  • And more

What about this year? In this study, we explore the most recent trends in moving scams, see which scam and fraud types are the most prevalent, and highlight the states and cities where moving scams appear to be on the rise.

(Note that in our previous studies of moving scams, we used figures from the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker. This year, we’ll be relying on even more comprehensive from FMCSA.)

moving scamsMoving Scams Projected To Decline by 9% Year-Over-Year, But Costlier

According to the FMCSA’s data on the first five months of this year, complaints against moving companies in 2024 are poised to decline by 9% year-over-year.

That doesn’t mean they don’t exist. A moving scam complaint is filed with the FMCSA for 1 in every 4,000 moves in the country, and as of June 1st, 2024, the FMCSA received 2,612 complaints against moving companies. 

 The median amount lost to a moving scam last year was $350. Thus far in 2024, the amount lost per scam is 23% higher, which is $431 per move.

If the number of moving scams seems small, it’s worth remembering that only a small percentage of all scams get reported to organizations like the FMCSA. How few, exactly? The current estimate is around 5%, according to an analysis by the Federal Trade Commission, and 10%, according to Better Business Bureau’s estimates.

Also, most scams (like most moves) take place during the summer, which we are currently only partly through. With up to 30% of Americans planning to move this year, the final figures at the end of the year may look different.

Even though moving fraud appears to be declining nationally, there are states and cities where it continues to pose a significant problem for folks looking to move.

Moving Scams by State: Up in Alabama, Down in Ohio, Most Prolific in Florida

While moving scams appear to be on a downward trend in 2024 nationally, that is unfortunately not the case in all the U.S. states and cities.

In reality, moving scams are on the rise in a fair few states. In Alabama (+106%) and North Carolina (+95%) they are rising the fastest, as they’ve had roughly twice as many scam complaints submitted against moving companies so far in 2024 than during the same time period last year.

Other states, where FMCSA has registered a significant uptick in the number of moving scam complaints are Colorado (+52%) and Kansas (+46%).  Also worth nothing are New Jersey (1 scam for every 442 moves), Nevada (722), and Connecticut (853). 

State % change YoY State % change YoY
Alabama +106% Ohio -75%
North Carolina +96% Arizona -72%
Colorado +52% Indiana -67%
Kansas +44% Tennessee -59%
Nevada +26% New York -56%
Missouri +23% Washington -46%
Georgia +15% California -43%
Mississippi +14% Illinois -38%
Texas +13% Maryland -33%
Oregon +12% Virginia -32%

On the other hand, states that are seeing the greatest decrease in reported fraudulent activities are Ohio (-75%) and Arizona (-72%). Indiana (-67%), Tennessee (-59%), and New York (-53%) round off the top five states where moving scams are in decline with year-over-year decreases in fraud reports well over 50%.

Another honorable mention for improvements goes to Florida — a state with a 27% decline in scam complaints about moving companies so far in 2024. Yet despite this recent reduction in scam complaints, Florida still leads the nation in how common moving scams are there; nationally, the average rate is one scam per every 4,000 moves, but Florida has one scam complaint for every 262 moves that take place in the Sunshine State.

The States With the Fewest Moving Scams

Conversely, scams are rarest in Maine (1 in 8,630 moves) and Delaware (1 in 8,590 moves). But it’s not only the less-populated states where scams are rare. In Arizona, a scam complaint is lodged for every 7,625 moves and in Texas, there’s one for every 7,055.

To see how common (or rare) moving scams are in other states, check out our interactive map above.

Moving Scams by Metropolitan Area: Bigger in Birmingham, Tapering off in Tampa

First and foremost, it is important to point out that of the 37 metropolitan areas for which enough data is available, 25 are seeing moving scam complaints decline year-over-year. Sadly, that still leaves 12 where scams are on the rise.

 

“…Florida has one scam complaint for every 262 moves that take place in the Sunshine State.”

 

Based on the number of scam complaints in the first five months of 2024, moving scams are rising fastest in the metro areas of Birmingham, AL (+163%), Houston, TX (+153%), and Charlotte, NC (+124%). 

Echoing state findings, Denver, CO (+32%) and Las Vegas, NV (+24%) are experiencing an increase in moving scam complaints on par with their respective states.

Metro % change YoY  City % change YoY 
Birmingham-Hoover, AL 163% Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL -83%
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX 153% Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA -80%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC 124% Rochester, NY -79%
Toledo, OH 69% Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ -72%
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL 64% Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN -72%
Raleigh, NC 58% Fort Wayne, IN -69%
St. Louis, MO-IL 56% Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC -67%
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO 32% Huntsville, AL -62%
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV 24% Jacksonville, FL -59%
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 19% San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA -59%

At the same time, moving scams appear to be dropping the fastest in the Tampa, FL area (-83%) and the Seattle, WA (-80%) metropolitan area. In keeping with the state-level trend, two metros in Indiana post significant declines in moving scam complaints: Indianapolis, IN (-72%), and Fort Wayne, IN (-69%). 

As some metropolitan areas have low and declining rates of moving scams, in others they are exceedingly common. In Miami, FL (75) and Port St. Lucie, FL (71) metros, for example, a moving scam happens once in every 70-odd moves. That is astoundingly common, considering the average rate across the major metropolitan areas is 1 scam in 1,000 moves.

Two major metropolitan areas below that average line are Las Vegas, NV and New York, NY, where scams occur once for every 668 and 784 moves, respectively.

In the Houston, TX metro where scams have been increasing, they still occur once for every 15,591 moves – the rarest among all metropolitan areas, where data was available. In the Boston, MA metro only 1 in every 14,125 moves is affected by a scam, while in the Seattle, WA metro the scams-to-moves ratio is 1 to 10,661.

The Most Common Types of Moving Scams in 2024

As moving scams continue to plague certain parts of the country, what kinds of things are movers getting away with?

Among the categories distinguished by the FMCSA, the following three scam complaints are the most common:

1. Estimates/Final Charges:  (18%)

These complaints include movers refusing to honor a pre-agreed binding estimate, a form of payment, and/or insisting on charging more than 10% over what was agreed.

2. Deceptive Business Practices (16%)

This category spans a broad range of fraud, such as false advertising, operating without or with an invalid insurance policy, companies requesting payment for services not rendered, and so on.

3. Shipment Documents (14%)

Complaints in this category have to do with missing documentation, such as confirmed inventory, bill of landing, or any other documents pertaining to the move.

Other fairly common causes for complaints are “Loss and Damage” (11%), “Pickup and Delivery” i.e., the “no-show” (10%), and “Claim Settlement“, i.e., when moving companies refuse to settle a customer complaint or participate in arbitration (10%).

It’s worth noting the “Hostage Load” (i.e., moving company withholding people’s possessions until a ransom is paid) category of complaints is what prompted FMCSA to launch a “national crackdown” on moving scams last year. And that looks to have worked, as only 147 such complaints have been filed so far in 2024, compared to 204 at the same time last year, amounting to a 28% decline in this type of moving scam.

Issues Around Estimates and Charges Dominate Scam Complaints in 17 States

Scams that have to do with moving cost estimates and charges are the #1 most common in a total of 17. This includes Alabama and Colorado, i.e., the states where the number of scams is increasing, as well as the nation’s biggest states in Texas, New York, and California.

Deceptive businesses are most prevalent in nine states, including Florida, Virginia, and Tennessee. Loss and damage of items is the most-complained-about issue with moving in seven states including Utah, Missouri, and Kansas.

In Delaware and Indiana, the top cause for complaints against movers has to do with Shipment and Documents, while claim settlement is the top issue in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Minnesota.

How To Avoid Getting Scammed When Moving

To be sure, moving scams are declining. Part of the reason for this could be the FMCSA’s continued effort to crack down on fraudulent moving companies and bad actors in the industry, which was redoubled earlier this year.

Another contributing factor is is the increasing number of moves booked via established mover-vetting platforms like MovingPlace and HireAHelper. When people can comparison shop and accurately price their move before booking, they are far more protected from easy to pull off moving scams.

With all this in mind, it still pays to be vigilant when moving. Here’s what we recommend to avoid getting scammed:

  • Shop around
    • Compare multiple quotes to avoid scams and ensure a good deal. Beware of significantly lower or higher quotes, lack of concrete details, absence of written contracts, and excessive down-payments.
  • Research your mover
    • Legitimate moving companies have a website and listings on platforms like Yelp or HireAHelper. A lack of online presence or frequent name changes may indicate a suspicious company.
  • Check their reviews
    • Look up what previous customer said about the mover you’re looking at and avoid companies with a history of dissatisfied customers on review-aggregating websites like Yelp and the BBB.
  • Keep a detailed inventory
    • Create a detailed list of packed items and consider taking photographs. Being organized helps prevent theft and identify missing items after the move.
  • Protect your most valuable possessions
    • You can get a few lockable moving boxes and properly pad fragile items to prevent tampering or theft.
  • Consider getting insurance
    • Moving insurance can protect against financial losses due to damaged or lost items. Third-party insurance is recommended in case of fraudulent moving companies.

For a full range of tips, please read our extended guide, read about your rights and responsibilities, and learn red flags to look out for when moving provided by the FMCSA

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Sources and Methodology
All moving scam complaints data was taken from the official Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database, retrieved on June 1st 2024. 
To calculate the number of moves in each state for the year 2023, we utilized the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey and its Annual Social and Economic Supplements, as available via IPUMS.
Median was used to estimate the typical cost of a moving scam, as listed on the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker. 
To estimate the projected total of moving complaints for 2024, an assumption was made that, given 65% of moves take place from July through December (HireAHelper’s multi-year average 2019-2023), 65% of moving scams would also occur in the same period.
For year-over-year comparisons, only states with a total of 100 and cities with a total of 50 moving complaints in 2023 and 2024 were included.
Illustrations by Heather Vaughan

2023 Study: Moving Scams Up 12% Over Last Year

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Key Findings

  • In 2023, 12% more moving scam reports have been filed with Better Business Bureau compared to last year
  • After a dip in 2022, complaints about moving companies are set to grow 35% year-over-year by the end of 2023
  • The financial toll of moving scams is projected to reach $1.59 million in 2023, 42% above last year’s total
  • Consumers lost an average of $836 to moving scams in 2023, 7% more than in 2022
  • Moving scams are most common in Wyoming (one in every 4,426 moves) and least common in Texas (one in every 41,410 moves)

Moving scams may have dipped in 2022, following their peak during the COVID-19 pandemic years. But according to the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker, they are on track to increase 35% year-over-year.

In response to this trend, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) launched an operation called Protect Your Move in April of this year. This is timely, as our data indicates almost half (45%) of all the moves in any given year take place from May through August.

As we’re currently within the period that we in the business call “the moving season,” let’s look at the latest trends in moving scams, review which scams are the most common in 2023, and where these scams are most likely to happen to you.

Mover Beware: Moving Fraud on the Rise Again in 2023

After surging steadily through the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020-2021, the number of moving scam reports fell by 60% in 2022, according to our analysis of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) figures. 

This positive trend is unlikely to continue this year, as 12% more scam reports have been submitted to the BBB’s Scam Tracker in the first five months of 2023, compared to the same period last year. And that’s before moving season (i.e., the three months of the summer when the demand for moving services and total moves usually peak).

At this rate, the total number of reported moving scams in 2023 is projected to be 194, some 35% higher than last year. 

That number would still be lower than what we’ve seen during the pandemic, but significantly higher than in any other non-pandemic year since 2016.

Hidden Costs: The Ongoing Financial Toll of Moving Scams

As if the increase in moving fraud wasn’t enough, the average amount U.S. consumers are reporting as lost to scammers is also increasing. In 2022, the average amount claimed to have been lost to scammers was $784. In 2023 so far, moving fraud in the United States averages $836 of loss, which is 7% higher than last year.

 

“What’s new this year is incidents of no-show (26%) and mover fraud (24%) have increased. Combined, they now account for 50% (up from 40% last year) of moving scams reported to the BBB.”

 

It’s worth mentioning that this increase isn’t just down to the average number being skewed by a few exorbitantly costly scams. The median amount lost to a moving scam in 2023 so far is $260. That figure is substantially higher than last year’s $190.

And what about the total financial toll of moving scams? Incorporating the latest BBB Scam Tracker figures, it currently sits at around $2.2 million per year, which is a figure extrapolated from the assumption that only 10% of fraud incidents get reported.

As moving fraud is estimated to rise in 2023, so is its financial toll. In the first five months of this year, American consumers already lost an estimated $543,000, which is 42% more than moving scams claimed over the same period in 2022.

If the current trend continues, the total amount lost to moving scams could reach $1.5 million by the end of the year.

Widespread in Wyoming, Costliest in Kansas: Moving Scams by State

Based on the most recent figures on moving scams and the number of people moving in each state, Wyoming comes out as the state where the ratio of moves to scams is the lowest. One scam is reported for every 4,426 moves that take place in Wyoming.

In second and third place on this unfortunate ranking are Vermont (one scam per 6,548 moves) and South Dakota (one scam per 6,783 moves). 

Elsewhere, all three states on the west coast of the U.S. — Oregon, Washington, and California — feature among the 10 states where moving fraud is most pervasive.

State Moves Per Scam
Wyoming 4,426
Vermont 6,548
South Dakota 6,783
Oregon 6,867
Minnesota 7,262
Colorado 8,488
Arizona 9,408
Connecticut 9,634
Washington 9,736
California 10,152
State Moves Per Scam
Texas 41,410
Idaho 30,933
Oklahoma 28,578
Nevada 28,419
Kansas 24,155
Kentucky 22,307
Massachusetts 22,185
Mississippi 21,966
Louisiana 21,074
Tennessee 21,050

In Texas on the other hand, moving scams are rarest, where scams affect one in every 41,410 moves. This is rather impressive, considering Texas is the state with the second-highest number of people moving (with the highest being in California).

Idaho is the second-safest state for moving scams, hosting an impressive 30,933 moves per single scam. Oklahoma and Nevada register one scam in around 28,000 moves, while in Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee, the scams-to-moves ratio raises to around one in 21,000.

Dollars Lost Per State

an illustration of cardboard boxes stacked on top of each other. They're worn and dirty, and red eyes are peeking out of the handles, to invoke a tangible image of a moving scam lurking. As far as the financial toll is concerned, moving scams average the most financial damage in Kansas, where the average amount lost is $2,700.

Nevada ($2,435) and Alabama ($2,325) are close behind and, together with Kansas, are the only three states where the average financial loss from a moving scam averages higher than $2,000. 

Other states with some of the highest average financial losses include New Jersey ($1,677), California ($1,210) and Florida ($1,001).

Conversely, in some states, moving fraud barely registers financially. For example, Idaho ($45), Massachusetts ($43) and Wisconsin ($40) all average less than $50 lost per moving scam so far this year.

Check out the interactive map below to see the average amount people lose to moving scams in your state.

Scam Tactics: Most Pervasive Moving Scams in America

Similar to last year’s findings, the most common type of moving scam reported to the BBB is the change of address scam.

Using this trick, perpetrators trick people who have recently moved into paying a fee (usually around $99.95 or more) for changing their address. Victims are directed to a website disguised to appear as a website from the United States Postal Service (USPS). This scam accounts for 31% of scams reported, down from 37% last year.

Not showing up

What’s new this year is incidents of no-shows (26%) and mover fraud (24%) have increased. Combined, they now account for 50% (up from 40% last year) of moving scams reported to the BBB.

A no-show is a scam where a moving company asks someone for a deposit or some form of an upfront fee, that fee is paid, and then no movers show up on the day of the move. Most frequently, that so-called moving company is unreachable afterward.

Here’s a description of one such scam reported to the BBB by someone who fell victim to it this year:

“Contacted movers to move my son. They said I would need to Zelle them with the deposit ($561.00) which I did. Moving day came and they contacted me and said they were running late. I was ghosted after that! No move was performed by this company.”

Mover fraud is a category of scams that includes fake moving companies posing as real moving businesses that at best are operating without a license, or, in the worst of cases, take people’s possessions until a ransom is paid (otherwise known as a “hostage load”).

It was specifically the increase in “complaints of movers holding household possessions hostage to extort exorbitant additional charges from consumers” that prompted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to launch a crackdown on hostage loads in April of this year. 

The other 19% of scams couldn’t be placed in a single category, and include a mixture of things like suspicious movers failing to adhere to the terms of the contract, overcharging, giving customers discounts for positive reviews, and more.

More Moving, More Problems: Why Moving Scams are Spiking in 2023

Why are the scams spiking in 2023? Based on our analysis, the reason behind the recent rise in this type of fraud is twofold. 

Firstly, more people are moving. A recent Census Bureau’s Residential Home Sales report shows a 15% year-over-year jump in residential home sales in April 2023. Elsewhere, recent figures show a spike in new home sales. By contrast, 2022 was the year when home sales declined continually and sharply. 

Housing is one of the top reasons why people move, so it’s likely that more scams occur because there is a greater demand for moving services and, therefore, a greater likelihood to encounter scammers.

 

“In 2023 so far, moving fraud in the United States averages $836 of loss, which is 7% higher than last year.”

 

The second reason has to do with the high susceptibility of consumers to moving scams. The BBB defines susceptibility as “the percentage of consumers who reported losing money when exposed to a scam”. By this metric, moving scams are among the most dangerous, with 66% of them resulting in financial loss. That’s second only to online shopping!

With such a high rate of financial damage, moving scams are more likely to be reported, as consumers attempt to do all they can to reclaim what they’ve lost and warn others of potential fraudsters.

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Moving Safely and Soundly: How To Not Get Scammed When Moving

To help you avoid getting scammed while moving, we have put together these tips.

  • Compare multiple quotes to avoid scams and ensure a good deal. Beware of significantly lower or higher quotes, lack of concrete details, absence of written contracts, and excessive down-payments.
  • Check out the company’s online presence. Legitimate moving companies have a website and listings on legitimate platforms like Yelp or HireAHelper. A lack of online presence or frequent name changes may indicate a suspicious company.
  • Look up verified customer reviews. Check past customer reviews and avoid companies with a history of dissatisfied customers on review-aggregating websites like Yelp and the BBB.
  • Keep a detailed inventory of your possessions. Create a detailed list of packed items and consider taking photographs. Being organized helps prevent theft and identify missing items after the move.
  • Lock up your most expensive valuables. Use lockable moving boxes and properly pad fragile items to prevent tampering or theft.
  • Consider buying moving insurance. Moving insurance can protect against financial losses due to damaged or lost items. Third-party insurance is recommended in case of fraudulent moving companies.

For more information on moving scams, and how to protect yourself from fraudulent movers, please read our extended guide.

See how prolific and costly scams are in each state with our interactive table below.
Sources & Methodology
To calculate the number of moving scams and the associated dollar amount lost we utilized the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker. For topical analysis of scams, we used Structural Topic Modeling on written descriptions of scams to derive their key themes.
To calculate the number of moves in each state for the year 2023, we utilized the U.S. Census Bureau’s Migration/Geographic Mobility Data series.
Illustrations by Heather Vaughan

Real Moving Scam Stories (and What To Do When It Happens to You)

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Last year, 230 moving scams were reported to the Better Business Bureau (BBB)—nearly double the number reported in 2019.

That might not seem like a lot, but consider the BBB estimates that only about 10% of scams actually get reported. And if you were one of those victims, even one scam would feel like one too many. 

Here’s the story of one couple who ended up the victims of a terrible moving experience, what they did, plus what you can do to avoid fraud on your next big move.

How Moving Scams Happen

When Mary and Will* needed to move long-distance across the state of Georgia to St. Simons Island, they didn’t realize how tough it would be to find movers.

The larger moving companies weren’t returning their calls due to high volume, and local movers couldn’t accommodate the over 300-mile move. (The couple also looked into moving container companies, but the cost didn’t fit their budget.) Yet eventually, a Google search connected them with a moving company called Nation Relocation. 

This company responded quickly to Will’s call and sent someone out to do an estimate. “That meeting went well enough, so we had no reason to distrust the company,” Mary explained to HireAHelper. “As a retired Army family having had only great moving experiences, it didn’t cross our mind that this one would be any different.”

Suspicions mounting

The problems started when the owner of the moving company was leaving Mary and Will’s home after one day of packing. The mover veered the moving truck off the driveway and onto the lawn, breaking a sprinkler head and leaving a large divot in the lawn. Afterward, he dismissed it as not his fault and quickly left with all his employees.

moving scamsThe emergency repair to the sprinkler cost the couple $642. “When he came back the next day to finish packing, my husband presented him with the invoice for the emergency repair and he asked him if he was going to pay for it,” Mary recounted. “His response was ‘that’s not going to happen.’”

Still, Mary said they expected that the move itself would be handled properly, having no past bad experiences. Unfortunately, things only got worse from there. After the couple’s items were unpacked in their new home, they discovered extensive damage to their belongings. An antique mirror that has been in Mary’s family since the 1940s was alarmingly handled. ”There was literally one sheet of packing paper wrapped around it for protection,” she said. Additionally, an antique vase that was given to Mary by her late mother-in-law was wrapped in a thin sheet of paper and jammed into a box with heavy items.

Also damaged were the couple’s flatscreen TV, washing machine, two bikes (one was damaged beyond use, and another simply disappeared), a brand-new cabinet, antique furniture and dishes, and more. In fact, entire rooms of items went missing during the move, including a 24-foot extension ladder, compound miter saw, electric chain saw, circular saw, hand sander, power drill, kitchen chair, car jack, garden wagon, moving dolly, and 40-50 DVDs.

“The owner was belligerent and disrespectful and showed little care for our personal property, both in hearing about damages as well as how things were packed,” Mary recounted. The couple filed a written claim with the company over a week before our interview, but they still haven’t received a response.

Not an isolated incident

Mary and Will are far from the only people who have been scammed by a moving company. 

In just one of a plethora of potential examples, Konami Moving and Storage, a moving company operating out of Las Vegas, made headlines when multiple customers came forward with claims they were taken advantage of during their moves. One local TV news station interviewed a woman who claimed her belongings were actually held hostage by the company, as they refused to return them unless their customer paid an exorbitant, undisclosed fee. Another customer shared that he was out $4,500 after half his items went missing and several more were broken as a result of working with Konami. A look at Konami’s online reviews reveals many other angry customers complaining of everything from damaged property to extortion.

On July 28th, a multi-agency investigation led to the arrests of five people in connection with a multi-state moving scam, including Konami Moving and Storage.

With a national increase in home sales driving heightened demand for movers, some experts warn that moving scams like these will increase. Thus, it pays to know the warning signs coming from a fraudulent moving company.

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How To Avoid Becoming the Victim of a Moving Scam

If you hire movers, it may feel stressful when virtual strangers enter your home and handle all your items. While the vast majority of moving companies employ courteous and professional workers, there’s always a chance you could get stuck with ones who aren’t.

From avoiding being overcharged to making sure your belongings aren’t damaged or stolen, here are some important steps you can take to stay safe.

1. Get several quotes

One way to make sure you aren’t getting ripped off or working with a questionable company is to look at more than one quote for the move. (This is very simple to do entirely online using a mover marketplace.) This can help you compare offers and be sure you’re getting a good deal.

Some red flags to look out for when comparing quotes:

  • One number is way lower than everyone else’s quote: If any one quote is significantly lower (or higher) compared to the others, it’s a sign there’s something amiss. You want to get the lowest price possible, but avoid anything that seems too good to be true.
  • It’s hard to get concrete details: This includes pricing, license numbers, insurance information, and more. “If there is any pushback from requests for this information, that could be a red flag that you are working with a fraudulent moving company,” explains Kristen Bolig, founder of SecurityNerd.
  • They won’t put it in writing: It’s best to avoid any verbal agreements that don’t include a written contract. Without the terms of your contract in writing, it’s easy to change or go back on what was originally promised.
  • A large down-payment is required: Be wary of companies that want you to pay a lot of the principal before the move takes place. This is a practice amongst scammers who take the money and run.

2. Check out the company’s online presence

Most businesses want to make it easier for potential new customers to find them and for existing customers to engage with them… not harder.

It’s expected that any legitimate moving company will at least have a basic website and additional listings on websites like Yelp or HireAHelper that feature pictures, company details, and reviews. A complete lack of online presence, as well as a history of name changes, is a red flag that a company may be hiding something.

 

“Movers need to be licensed with the state, and if they’re doing interstate moves, they need to be federally licensed too.”

 

For example, the aforementioned Nation Relocation (whose website is not currently active) has also done business under another company name: “Region Relocation”. “They have no social media presence either, and it is the opinion of myself and multiple others whom they have scammed that they’ve done this intentionally to minimize their traceability and their accountability footprint,” Mary said.

3. Look up verified customer reviews (that means the moves really happened)

Before choosing a moving company, see what past customers have to say about them. A couple of negative reviews are to be expected, but a long history of dissatisfied customers should make you look elsewhere.

“Looking back, we would have started our market research earlier in the moving process and looked at online reviews and Better Business Bureau reports,” Mary said. Nation Relocation, for example, has a one-star rating on Yelp, with multiple customer complaints ranging from damages to harassment. Meanwhile, Region Relocation has an F rating from the BBB fueled by 48 customer complaints.

4. Keep a detailed inventory

To be sure that none of your items go missing without you realizing it, keep a detailed list of what was packed. For high-value items, you may also want to take photographs. “Moving can be hectic, but being organized will help mitigate any risk of theft,” Kristen Bolig advises. “Keeping inventory of your belongings will allow you to know if anything is missing once the move is done.”

5. Lock your most expensive valuables

As an added measure against tampering or theft, Bolig recommends using lockable moving boxes and totes for extra security. Just be sure that if you do, you properly pad anything fragile so it doesn’t break during transit.

6. Consider buying moving insurance

Though moving insurance can’t bring back irreplaceable items that were broken, lost or stolen, insurance can ensure that you don’t take a major financial hit from the loss. “This kind of insurance covers the costs of any damaged or lost items during a move,” Bolig said.

Though your moving company may offer its own protection, you may want to purchase insurance through a third-party in case the company ends up being fraudulent. “Even if you do fall victim to a scam, you can have this insurance to fall back on,” Bolig said. 

Generally, the more useful third-party liability coverage costs around $1.25 per pound. So if you move 2,000 pounds of belongings, you could expect to pay $2,500. It’s a significant added cost, but depending on what you’re moving, it could be worth the peace of mind that you’re financially protected against moving damages.

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What To Do if You Just Got Scammed

Of course, no one wants to get ripped off, but it still happens. So if despite your best efforts, if you end up getting scammed by a moving company, here’s what you should do.

1. Let your state’s Consumer Affairs Division know what happened

There are a few benefits to doing this. For one, investigators can help you track down missing belongings or get compensation for damaged items. Plus, they can take unlicensed and illegal movers off the streets so no one else falls victim. Movers need to be licensed with the state, and if they’re doing interstate moves, they need to be federally licensed too. Cross-checking these licenses and reporting an unlicensed mover is a quick way to get an investigation started.

2. Call your local police station

The police are sometimes limited in what they can do when a moving scam occurs. At the very least, you should file a police report for any damages or harassment you experience. In some cases, depending on state laws, the police can actually mediate a dispute. For example, if a moving company holds your belongings hostage in demand for more money, the police can step in and help you get your stuff back, especially if it involves an interstate move. But again, the level of involvement by police will be dictated by state law, so do your research and learn what’s allowed where you’re moving

3. Consider contacting a news outlet

One of the best ways to put pressure on a company to resolve your complaint (and protect future customers) is to contact a local newspaper or TV station and see if they’ll do a report on your incident. This does involve putting yourself and your misfortune in the public eye. But if you don’t mind taking the spotlight for the greater good, it can be worth it.

Ultimately, when choosing a moving company, it’s important to trust your gut. If anything about the quote, contract, or communication feels off, it’s probably a sign that you should work with someone else. When in doubt, trusted, established moving services with consumer-friendly policies are always the better choice.

*Names have been changed in order to protect the couple’s privacy.
Illustrations by Marlowe Dobbe

2021 Study: Are They Real? The Truth about Moving Scams

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Key Findings

  • A total of 230 moving scams were reported to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in 2020, which is 91% higher than reported in the previous year (130)
  • Americans lost up to $2 million to moving scams last year, according to the estimates from the BBB
  • As many as 148 moving scams are already filed in 2021, twice as many as were reported by the same time last year
  • Only an estimated 10% of moving scams are reported, meaning the real figure of moving scams is likely in the thousands
  • Roughly 1 in 13,000 moves in 2020 were affected by a scam, which is about as likely getting struck by lightning in your lifetime
  • Alaska, Oregon, and Montana are the worst states for moving scams (1 scam for around every 6,000 moves or fewer)
  • Utah and Missouri are the states least affected by scams (1 scam for around every 30,000 moves or greater)

 

Any scam you ever encounter or, even worse, fall for is a real bummer… to say the least. The Federal Trade Commission received 2.2 million fraud and scam reports in 2020 alone, with an estimated total of $3.3 billion lost to fraudsters. The majority of scams reported revolve around tactics like identity theft, credit card fraud, and suspect online shopping.

And though it pains us to admit it, the moving industry isn’t scam-free either. Suspect movers with hidden fees, contracts written in bad faith, and exorbitant deposits abound.

In this analysis, we zoom in on these moving scams to examine their prevalence in the industry, tally up the amount of money Americans lose to moving fraud each year, then see if the situation has changed much over the last few years (and explain what you can do to fight it).

What Exactly Are Moving Scams?

There are a wide variety of fly-by-night tactics that are more typical of those flyers you see on telephone poles, as well as Craigslist ads. Typical scams in the moving industry include (but aren’t limited to) situations where moving companies:

  • Hold your possessions “hostage” and refuse to deliver them unless you pay them a ridiculous amount of money
  • Change company names to avoid associations with previous scams 
  • Don’t mention additional fees, then charge them
  • Charge premium insurance by default
  • “Lose” valuable items and refuse to investigate or explain the loss
  • Don’t show up after they receive a deposit
  • Provide blanket estimates without asking to evaluate the size of your move

A Worrying Trend? Moving Scams up 91%, Year-Over-Year

Looking at the figures from Scam Tracker—a Better Business Bureau (BBB) analysis tool which allows people to report and track scams and fraudulent behavior they experience within the U.S. and Canada—it appears moving scams are largely on the rise.

Some 230 moving scams were reported in 2020 alone, which is 91% more than the number of scams filed with the BBB in the previous year. And so far in 2021, the number of scam reports has already reached 148, despite us only being halfway through the year. That’s higher than the total number filed by Americans in all of 2019 (121).

Partially, we can chalk up the rise in scam reports to the rising popularity of the BBB’s website and its initiatives, but it would be unreasonable to wholeheartedly deny the fact that scams are becoming more prolific.

Considering millions of people move in the United States every year, 230 scams a year doesn’t seem like such a high number. (And it isn’t, in scale.) However, citing the Federal Trade Commission, the Better Business Bureau suggests that only about 10% of scams are reported.

With that percentage in mind, we can estimate that a more realistic number of moving scams last year is an estimated 2,300, while the number of scams in 2021 at the halfway point is currently estimated to be around 1,500.

Hidden Figures: Americans Lost up to $2 Million to Moving Scams Last Year

moving scamThe total number of scams alone doesn’t tell us much about the impact they might have on people who fall victims to various kinds of moving fraud. Another way to gain an understanding of a moving scammer’s impact is to look at the amount of money lost to moving scams over the years.

 

“…the Better Business Bureau suggests that only about 10% of scams are reported.”

 

Based on Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker, the reported amount lost to moving scams in 2020 was $207,000 and about $114,000 so far in 2021. 

Bearing in mind the high potential for scams going unreported, we can estimate that the amount lost to moving scams is in the region of $1.1 million during the first six months of 2021, and $2 million in 2020.

In that regard, the financial impact of moving scams seems to at least be in slight decline from the peak of $3.2 million lost in 2018 (when accounting for underreported scams). 

As Likely as Being Struck by Lightning: How Common Moving Scams Really Are

The rise of moving scams and the potential millions of dollars lost to scammers in the moving industry is, by all means, a concerning trend. But if we look at the number of moving scams relative to the number of moves taking place in the United States each year, it’s true that moving scams are rather rare.

 

“Moving scammers are most common in the Western and Northern ends of the United States, with the states Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and Colorado all having the worst moves to scams ratio.”

 

Even if we take into account the fact that 90% of moving scams go unreported, the data suggests that only 1 in 15,000 moves that took place in the U.S. last year were afflicted by scams. For the sake of using a famous comparison, your chances of getting struck by lightning over the course of your lifetime are 1 in 15,300.

Where Are Moving Scams Most Common?

Still, rare as they might be, moving scams are actually more prevalent in certain states than others. Moving scammers are most common in the Western and Northern ends of the United States, with the states Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and Colorado all having the worst moves to scams ratio. 

On the other side of the scale, moves in states like Utah and Missouri were the least prone to scams, in that the ratio of moves to scams in these states is greater than 30,000 to 1.

State Moves Per Scam State Moves Per Scam
Alaska 3,494 Utah 37,931
Oregon 4,040 Missouri 32,941
Montana 5,963 Connecticut 26,370
Washington 6,077 Virginia 25,594
Wyoming 6,186 Wisconsin 23,544
Colorado 6,353 Tennessee 22,108
Pennsylvania 7,527 Louisiana 21,837
Minnesota 7,997 Texas 20,926
North Dakota 8,375 Idaho 19,481
Nebraska 8,945 Oklahoma 19,364

To get the details on the number of moves and moving scams in each state, check our map below, where we’ve assembled the data for the year 2020, the last full year for available data.

Moving scams are a nightmare for consumers and a source of great shame for the moving industry. The number of scams does appear to be on the rise, with a recent BBB report highlighting the suspiciously high levels of fraudulent activity since the start of the pandemic.

We may never know the true extent of the problem, but at HireAHelper, we make sure fraudulent movers cannot exist on our vetted platform of over 2,000 Moving Service Providers across the United States. All HireAHelper moves come with a $1,000 Safety Guarantee, industry-leading customer service, and verification of every single mover review. Nobody deserves to have their life stolen from them, least of all when they are at their most vulnerable. Moving day is tough enough!

If you feel like you may be a victim of moving scams, here’s what you might be able to do to get your life back on track.

Sources and Methodology
The number of moving scams and the associated dollar amount lost was taken from Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker. The number of moves in each state for the year 2020 was taken from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Illustrations by Heather Vaughan

Are My Movers Licensed and Insured? (And Does it Matter?)

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Updated: We’ve added updated info and new links for 2019.

First of all, I want to say, “well done.” If you’re taking the time to ask this question and figure out the answer, you’re off to a great start! Nothing will ruin your move more than becoming the person in that horror story who has all their belongings stolen by their movers or is charged 300% more than the original quote. It’s important to protect yourself from rogue movers and scammers operating nationwide.

What is a “licensed mover”?

Regulations and requirements for licensure vary from state to state. You can check out your state’s requirements here. Some states require movers to register with the state as a moving company and to offer at least two options for insurance (full-valuation or released-value). Some states have additional requirements. Beyond insurance, states might set standards regarding estimates, liability, mover agreements, etc.

If you are moving across state lines, your mover should have federal licensure, meaning the government has signed off on their business. Being licensed requires the movers to follow certain guidelines regarding insurance, safety measures, financial responsibility and so on.

If your potential movers will be traveling across state lines, check to make sure they are licensed for interstate moves on this government website.

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What is an “insured mover”?

When I first got into the moving business, I struggled with understanding the difference between a mover who is insured and one who offers insurance.

If your mover is insured, it generally means they carry basic moving insurance (release value insurance) that will cover a very small portion of damage or loss to your stuff while they’re handling it (typically at a payout rate of $0.60 per pound, per item). So a dropped 10 pound, $1,000 TV would only see an insurance check of $6.00!

“…ask them for a copy of their COI (Certificate of Insurance) and to see their state and/or federal license.”

A small handful of movers offer an even better option – the opportunity to purchase additional, full-valuation insurance. Full-valuation covers the total cost of repair or replacement in the event that your movers ruin or lose seriously valuable items during your move (e.g., gold and fine china).

Make sure you about this critical difference.

How do you know if your mover offers insurance?

The first and most obvious way for you to check out your mover’s credentials is to simply ask them. However, if you ask a thief whether or not they are a thief, they won’t likely tell you the truth!

So with that in mind, ask them for a copy of their COI (Certificate of Insurance) and to see their state and/or federal license. If you’re booking a mover online, they will likely have credentials listed on the site you’re booking through. The FMCSA (listed earlier) is also available if you want to be absolutely positive about their current licensure status.

As far as insurance goes, ask for everything in writing – on paper or via email. You should have your coverage in writing not only to retain proof of that coverage, but also so you know exactly what you’re entitled to in the event that something is broken or lost.

If you’re planning a long distance move, we recommend getting a quote from Moving Place. They can help you orchestrate a seamless move. All you have to do is take care of packing and loading, and they’ll get the truck and driver ready to deliver your stuff to the door of your new home. 

Have a story to share? Please share your moving insurance stories, tips, and experiences – good or bad – in the comments below.

Victoria is enjoying her summer time off from grad classes by soaking up rays, spending time with family and working with HireAHelper from her small town in Nebraska (aka “the good life”).

 

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I'm a Mover

For rookies or veterans alike, our "I'm a Mover" section is filled with extensive industry news, crucial protips and in-depth guides written by industry professionals. Sharing our decade of moving knowledge is just one way we help keep our professional movers at the top of their game.
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