Moving Company Scams: The Contract Check
A moving day is when a family is most vulnerable: the truck is loaded, the old house is empty, and the mover holds the leverage. The Federal Trade Commission warns that some movers quote a low price, load the truck, and then demand more before they will unload. This page is the contract check that keeps the move honest, from the written estimate to the payment rules.
The one-line rule: a mover that will not put the price in writing is the scam. The FTC's moving company alert says legitimate movers give written estimates and written contracts; the scams start with a low verbal price.
How moving scams work
The pattern is consistent. A mover quotes a suspiciously low price over the phone, shows up with a truck, loads the belongings, and then raises the price dramatically, often holding the goods until the family pays the difference. The FTC describes this hostage-style move as one of the most common complaints it hears. The family's only real protection is the paper trail signed before the truck is loaded.
The contract check (before anything moves)
- Get an in-home or video estimate in writing. A real mover inspects the items or reviews a video walkthrough and writes down the price. A phone quote with no inspection is the red flag.
- Confirm the company is real. Check the name, address, and license with the state and, for moves across state lines, the federal registration. The FTC alert lists the verification steps for both.
- Read the contract before signing. The written contract must list the pickup date, delivery date, total price, and how the price is calculated. If any of it is blank, do not sign.
- Never pay a large deposit up front. Scammers demand cash or a big deposit before loading. Legitimate movers typically collect payment on delivery, and never in cash only.
- Get everything in writing, including the inventory. The moving inventory is the family's record of what was loaded and its condition. Keep a copy with the contract.
If the mover holds the belongings hostage
Do not escalate with cash you cannot afford to lose. Pay only what the contract says is owed, document everything, and report the mover to the state enforcement agency for an in-state move or to the federal regulator for a cross-state move, plus the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The moving day guide covers the rest of the day-of plan, and the scam recovery guide covers getting the money back.
Related guides
- Moving day: the family plan
- The downsizing checklist
- Scam recovery: the first hour
- What downsizing really costs
Sources & verification
This page is checked against the standards in our editorial policy, preferring government sources. Reviewed August 2026:
- FTC: Avoid scams when you hire a moving company (retrieved August 2026)
Found an error? Report it: we log and correct material mistakes publicly.
Quick answers
Common questions, answered plainly. The details match the sources above.
Is a low moving quote always a scam?
A low quote is a warning sign, not proof. The FTC says scammers often bait with a low price and then raise it after the truck is loaded. The protection is the written estimate and contract: if the price is not in writing before the move, do not hire the mover.
Can a mover legally hold our belongings for more money?
It happens, and it is exactly the complaint the FTC tracks. Your recourse: pay only what the signed contract says is owed, keep every document, and report the mover to the state enforcement agency (in-state moves) or the federal regulator (cross-state moves) and to the FTC.
Found an error? Report it.