Real Moving Company vs Moving Scam
How to tell a legitimate removal or moving firm from a fraudulent company that holds your belongings hostage or disappears after a deposit.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Moving scams follow two patterns: the 'hostage' scam, where movers load your belongings and then demand a far higher sum than quoted before unloading, and the vanishing-deposit scam, where a company takes an upfront payment and never shows up. Both are avoidable with straightforward checks.
Side-by-side comparison
| Legitimate moving company | Fraudulent mover | |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing and registration | Registered with a national trade body (BAR in the UK, FMCSA in the US); licence number is verifiable | No industry registration; cannot provide a licence number; may change its trading name frequently |
| Written quote | Provides a detailed written estimate based on a survey of your belongings; binding quotes available | Quote is verbal only, vague, or dramatically revised upward on moving day once your possessions are loaded |
| Deposit requirement | May take a modest deposit (typically 10–25%); never demands full payment before moving day | Demands a large upfront cash payment or full payment before any work begins |
| Insurance and liability | Carries goods-in-transit insurance; provides written details of coverage and claims process | Cannot provide insurance details; refuses to explain liability if items are damaged or lost |
| Reviews and verification | Has consistent, verifiable reviews on independent platforms stretching back over time; physical address checks out | Reviews are sparse, very recent, or uniformly five-star with generic language; address may not exist |
| Vehicle and equipment | Arrives with appropriate branded vehicles and trained staff; inventory list completed on collection | Arrives in unmarked vans; no inventory taken; pressure to sign documentation quickly without reading it |
Common red flags
- Significantly lower quote than all other companies — designed to win the booking then inflate on the day
- No written contract or estimate before moving day
- Demand for full payment in cash before or during loading
- Driver refuses to unload until a much higher amount is paid
- No verifiable trade-body registration number
Verification steps
- Check the company's registration on BAR (UK), FMCSA (US), or your national equivalent
- Get at least three written, itemised quotes based on a home survey
- Pay by credit card so you have chargeback rights if the service is not delivered
- Keep a copy of the signed inventory before the van leaves
What not to do
- Do not pay the full amount in cash before your belongings are delivered
- Do not sign any document on moving day without reading it carefully
- Do not book a mover based solely on the lowest price without verifying credentials
A safe response
If your belongings are being held hostage, contact police as this constitutes theft or extortion in most jurisdictions. Document everything and contact your card provider if payment was made by card. Report the company to your national consumer or trading standards authority.
Frequently asked questions
What is a binding moving estimate?
A binding estimate is a written guarantee that the price will not change regardless of the actual weight or volume moved. In the US, FMCSA regulations give you the right to demand a binding estimate. Always get the quote in writing before moving day.
What if the movers demand more money once my belongings are in the van?
This is a federal offence in the US and a criminal matter in most countries. Note the vehicle registration number, photograph the scene if safe to do so, call police, and contact your national consumer protection agency. Do not pay the inflated sum if you can avoid it.