Choosing a moving company is one of the most high-stakes decisions in any relocation. For a short period of time, you are handing over nearly everything you own to a third party, often while managing tight timelines, housing transitions, and emotional stress. That combination of pressure and complexity continues to make moving an attractive target for fraud.
In 2026, moving company scams and complaints remain a persistent issue. Consumer protection agencies such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) continue to report hundreds of formal complaints each year related to deceptive pricing, withheld deliveries, and misleading contracts. While regulation has improved, scams still thrive where transparency and comparison are limited.
This guide explains how to identify unreliable movers before you book, what warning signs matter most, how to read moving contracts properly, and how to verify credentials in 2026. It also shows how Relocately helps reduce risk by allowing you to compare vetted moving companies side by side, before problems arise.
What This Article Covers
This article is designed to help you make safer, more informed decisions when choosing a moving company. Specifically, we’ll cover:
Why moving scams still occur in 2026
The most common red flags that signal an unreliable mover
How deceptive contracts are used to hide extra costs
What credentials legitimate moving companies should be able to prove
How Relocately supports safer, more transparent mover comparison
Compare moving companies safely with Relocately before you book
Why Moving Scams Still Happen in 2026
Despite increased awareness, moving scams persist because the industry remains highly fragmented. Thousands of companies operate across local, interstate, and international markets, and not all are subject to the same level of oversight. Many consumers also hire movers infrequently, making it harder to recognize abnormal behavior.
According to data from the BBB, moving services consistently rank among the most complained-about home service categories. The FTC notes that many complaints stem from last-minute price increases, vague estimates, and situations where goods are delayed or withheld until additional payments are made.
In most cases, these outcomes are not caused by a single mistake, but by a chain of small decisions made without full visibility into how a mover operates.
Red Flags That Often Indicate a Bad Moving Company
Unreliable movers tend to reveal themselves early, particularly during the quoting and booking process.
One of the clearest warning signs is a quote that is dramatically lower than others for the same move. While prices can vary, extreme underpricing is frequently used to secure a booking before costs are raised later. Consumer reports show that many scam victims initially believed they had found a “great deal,” only to face inflated charges once their belongings were already loaded.
Another red flag is poor documentation. Legitimate movers provide written estimates, clear service descriptions, and defined delivery windows. Companies that rely on verbal promises, generic contracts, or rushed signatures often leave themselves room to change terms later.
Payment practices also matter. The FTC continues to warn consumers about movers who demand large upfront deposits or cash-only payments, especially before any services are rendered. This reduces accountability and increases the risk of non-delivery.
How Contracts Are Used to Hide Risk
Moving contracts are where many problems are quietly introduced. In 2026, deceptive contracts remain a core tool used by bad movers to justify unexpected charges.
One common issue is the misuse of non-binding estimates, which allow final costs to change based on shipment weight or volume. While non-binding estimates are legal, unreliable movers often fail to explain how adjustments are calculated, leaving customers unprepared for large increases.
Liability coverage is another area frequently misunderstood. Basic coverage is often calculated by weight rather than value, meaning damaged items may be reimbursed for far less than their replacement cost. Reputable movers explain this clearly and offer valuation options upfront.
Delivery windows should also be reviewed carefully. Contracts with extremely broad or undefined timelines can create leverage for dishonest operators, particularly in disputes involving additional fees.
Credential Checks That Matter in 2026
Verifying credentials remains one of the most effective ways to avoid unreliable movers.
For interstate moves in the U.S., legitimate companies must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and carry an active USDOT number. This registration allows consumers to review complaint history, operating authority, and insurance status.
At the state level, additional licensing or bonding may be required. State consumer protection offices often provide searchable databases that reveal whether a mover is legally authorized to operate.
Online reviews can be useful, but patterns matter more than individual comments. Repeated complaints about billing disputes, missing items, or unresponsive customer service should be treated as structural warning signs rather than isolated incidents.
Compare mover contracts and estimates side by side on Relocately to spot inconsistencies early.
Common Moving Scams Consumers Still Encounter
While tactics evolve, most moving scams fall into familiar categories.
Bait-and-switch pricing remains one of the most reported issues, where a low estimate is replaced with a much higher bill after pickup. Fake brokers also continue to be a problem, presenting themselves as movers while subcontracting the job without oversight.
More severe cases involve hostage-goods scenarios, where movers refuse delivery unless additional payments are made. Both the BBB and FMCSA continue to warn consumers about this practice, particularly during long-distance relocations.
Across these cases, the underlying issue is the same: lack of transparency before booking.
How Relocately Supports Safer Moving Decisions
Moving scams are more likely when consumers are forced to make decisions with limited information. Comparing just one quote or relying on a single advertisement makes it harder to identify abnormal pricing or vague service terms.
Relocately reduces this risk by enabling clear comparison. When users can review multiple movers at once and differences in pricing logic. This helps flag unusually low quotes, unclear contracts, or service models that do not align with industry standards.
By focusing on transparency and comparison, Relocately supports a decision process that discourages rushed commitments and reduces exposure to unreliable operators.
A Smarter Way to Avoid Moving Scams in 2026
Moving fraud persists not because consumers are careless, but because relocation is complex and time-sensitive. However, most scams follow predictable patterns that can be avoided through careful review, credential checks, and meaningful comparison.
The goal is not perfection, but informed choice. When you understand red flags, read contracts critically, and compare movers through a platform like Relocately, you significantly reduce the risk of costly surprises.
Compare vetted moving companies on Relocately and relocate with confidence in 2026.
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