What is a hostage load?

An illegal scam where a mover refuses to unload your belongings until you pay inflated charges far above your estimate. Report it to FMCSA immediately.

Should I ever pay a large cash deposit before a move?

No. Legitimate carriers rarely require large upfront cash deposits. A big cash demand is one of the clearest scam warning signs.

Moving Scams: How They Work and How to Protect Yourself in 2025

Q: How do I check if a moving company is legitimate?

Search their USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov, confirm the company name matches, and review their complaint history before paying any deposit.

The FMCSA receives over 7,000 moving fraud complaints annually. The most common scams are lowball estimates that inflate on delivery, hostage-load situations, bait-and-switch carriers, and fake online review profiles. Here is exactly how each scam works and what to do about it.

What are the 6 most common moving scams?

Lowball estimate, inflated delivery. A quote far below competitors, then a much higher bill on arrival.
Hostage load. The mover refuses to unload until you pay inflated charges in cash.
Bait and switch. The company you booked sells your move to an unknown carrier.
Fake reviews. Manufactured 5-star profiles hiding a history of complaints.
Large deposit demand. Big upfront cash that disappears if they vanish.
No-show / phantom carrier. A broker books a move with no real truck behind it.

How do I verify a mover with the FMCSA?

Every interstate mover must have an active USDOT number searchable at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Check the number, confirm the company name matches, and review the complaint history. Learn what licenses mean in our moving company licenses explained guide.

What are the red flags before signing?

| Stage | Red flag | | --- | --- | | Quote | No in-home or video survey; price far below others | | Paperwork | No USDOT number; blank Bill of Lading | | Deposit | Large cash-only upfront demand | | Branding | Generic name, no physical address, rented trucks only |

Always confirm your estimate against the moving cost calculator so an unrealistic lowball stands out.

What are the red flags on moving day?

The truck is unmarked or rented.
The crew presents a different company name.
You're asked to sign a blank Bill of Lading.

What do I do if I'm scammed?

File with FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238 or fmcsa.dot.gov.
Contact your state attorney general for intrastate moves.
Report to the BBB and dispute card charges.
Document everything — your rights are covered in our consumer rights guide.

Avoid scams entirely by booking verified carriers. Compare household movers and request quotes from vetted companies on moving.art.