Research Movers Wisely
BBB Urges Consumers to Thoroughly Research Moving Companies to Avoid Scams
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The Better Business Bureau is urging consumers to treat hiring a moving company like a detective project — not a quick Google search. The BBB warns that fraudulent "fly-by-night" movers are surging during the peak summer season, with median financial losses rising from $350 in 2023 to $754 by 2025, according to BBB Scam Tracker.
These rogue operators typically show up in unmarked rental trucks, demand large cash deposits upfront, then hold belongings hostage until customers pay inflated "overweight fees." The BBB reports scams now affect roughly 1 in every 8 moves — up from 1 in 10 just two years ago.
Fraudulent Movers Now Dominate Online Search Results
Modern moving scams no longer rely on word-of-mouth. Rogue companies now use AI tools and SEO tricks to appear at the top of local search results, according to WNEM. They lure customers with estimates 40% to 60% below market rate. Once your items are on their truck, the price jumps — and your stuff goes nowhere until you pay.
Lisa Schiller, BBB Senior Director of Investigations, says these schemes often involve "no-shows, unexpected price hikes, or belongings held hostage for additional payment." In Wisconsin alone, consumers filed over 21,000 inquiries about movers in 2025 — a signal of how widespread the anxiety has become, CBS 58 reported.
Red Flags: Unmarked Trucks, No Uniforms, No Address
The BBB says legitimate movers are easy to spot. They wear branded uniforms, drive company-marked trucks, and can provide a physical business address. Staff undergo background checks and give customers an order number before touching a single box, according to AZFamily.
Rogue companies show the opposite signs. They answer the phone with a generic "Movers" instead of a company name. They show up in unmarked rental trucks driven by temporary, untrained workers. The BBB's Steve Bernas warns that "con artists exploit the chaos of moving to steal money, identities, and personal belongings," as reported by Fox10.
Federal Regulators Launch Crackdown on Rogue Carriers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ran "Operation Protect Your Move" in April 2024, targeting the 100 carriers with the worst complaint records. By April 2026, the FMCSA rolled out mandatory identity checks for new motor carriers — including facial scans using IDEMIA technology — to stop scammers from simply relaunching under a new DOT number, according to KWTX.
The enforcement gap remains real, though. The FMCSA can revoke a carrier's operating authority but lacks criminal enforcement power. That means a rogue mover can shut down today and reopen tomorrow with a new name and DOT number. The Transportation Intermediaries Association has called on Congress to force faster removal of fraudulent listings from federal databases, citing a 65% spike in fraud reports, according to KOLD.
How to Protect Yourself Before Moving Day
The BBB lays out a clear checklist. First, look up the company's DOT and MC numbers on the FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database. Second, never pay more than 10-20% upfront — legitimate movers collect full payment upon delivery, according to 13ABC. Third, always get a written, binding estimate based on an actual inventory of your belongings.
Document everything before moving day. Take photos or video of all items. Reject any company that refuses a written estimate or asks for a large cash deposit. The BBB also targets college graduates, military families, and elderly consumers as the most common victims — groups that move frequently and often rely on fast online searches, Hawaii News Now reported.
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