| For many older Americans, downsizing or moving closer to family is an exciting start to a new chapter. Personal belongings represent a lifetime of memories; moving scams put all of that at risk. Read on to find out what to look for when planning a move. |
| How It Works•Operators build flashy websites, flood them with paid positive reviews, and claim unusually low prices to attract customers.•At the last minute, the “moving company” may claim they need more money for more supplies or that they failed to factor in a bedroom.•They might show up, load the truck, and then raise the price significantly and refuse to deliver your belongings if you don’t pay.•They may charge a high upfront fee and then fail to show up entirely. |
| What You Should Know•The Better Business Bureau received over 700 complaints against moving companies in 2025.•The US Department of Transportation requires interstate movers to register and have a DOT number (check the mover’s website); many states require the DOT number for intrastate carriers.•Legitimate movers use weight to estimate moving costs while impostor companies use cubic feet because measuring volume is easier to manipulate. |
| What You Should Do•Walk away from a company that only offers estimates over the phone.•Be wary of large upfront payments or payments in full.•Get everything in writing and ask questions about anything you don’t understand.•If your belongings are held for ransom, get help from local law enforcement.•To file a complaint against a moving company, go to the National Consumer Complaint Database Homepage at nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov. |
reprinted from AARP Fraud Watch Network