Most moving companies are legitimate businesses run by people who take pride in their work. But the moving industry also has more than its share of bad actors, and the consequences of hiring the wrong company can range from a frustrating moving day to losing your belongings entirely. Knowing what to look for before you sign anything can save you a significant amount of stress, money, and regret.
Here are the red flags that should make you pause before hiring a moving company.
They Give You a Quote Without Asking Any Questions
A legitimate moving company cannot give you an accurate quote without knowing what they’re moving. If a company provides a firm price after a one-minute phone call with no questions about the size of your home, the number of items, access at both properties, or the distance of the move, that quote is not based on anything real.
Low estimates given without a proper assessment are one of the oldest tricks in the moving industry. The price looks attractive upfront, and then additional charges appear on moving day when your belongings are already on the truck and you have little choice but to pay.
Always look for a company that asks detailed questions before quoting, or offers an in-home or video estimate for larger moves.
There Is No Physical Address or DOT Number
Any legitimate moving company operating in the United States should have a registered physical business address and a USDOT number if they operate across state lines. In Virginia, movers also need to be registered with the Virginia DMV.
If a company’s website has no physical address listed, or if you search their DOT number and it comes back invalid or registered to a different company name, treat that as a serious warning sign. Fly-by-night operations often use multiple names and have no traceable business address specifically to avoid accountability.
You can verify a company’s USDOT number at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. It takes less than a minute and tells you a great deal about who you’re dealing with.
They Ask for a Large Cash Deposit Upfront
Reputable moving companies typically collect payment at the end of the job, not before it starts. Some may ask for a small deposit to hold your moving date, which is reasonable. But if a company asks for a large cash deposit before moving day, that is a significant red flag.
Cash deposits paid to dishonest movers are rarely recovered. Once the money is gone, so are they. Pay by card where possible so you have a record of the transaction and some recourse if things go wrong.
The Quote Changes Dramatically on Moving Day
This is one of the most common moving scams and it works because of the leverage a dishonest company has once your belongings are loaded onto their truck. You arrive at your destination and are told the price has increased substantially due to additional charges, weight overages, or fees that were never mentioned in the original quote.
To protect yourself, get everything in writing before moving day. A binding estimate locks in your price based on the agreed scope of the job. Read the contract carefully before signing and ask specifically about any circumstances that could change the final price.
The Company Has No Reviews or Unverifiable Ones
Online reviews are not perfect, but a company with no reviews at all, or one whose reviews all appeared within a short period and read as generic or identical, should raise questions. Look for reviews on multiple platforms including Google, Yelp, MoveBuddha, and the Better Business Bureau rather than relying on testimonials on the company’s own website.
Pay attention to how the company responds to negative reviews as well. A company that responds professionally and takes responsibility for issues tells you a lot more about their character than one that only has five-star reviews with no negative feedback at all.
They Show Up With an Unmarked Truck
Professional moving companies operate branded vehicles. An unmarked rental truck driven by people with no uniforms or company identification is not a good sign. It can indicate a rogue operation using subcontractors who have no affiliation with the company you booked, or in worse cases an outright scam.
When your moving crew arrives, they should be able to identify themselves, show company credentials, and arrive in a vehicle that matches the company you hired.
The Contract Is Vague or Incomplete
Never sign a blank or incomplete moving contract. Every legitimate moving contract should include the pickup and delivery addresses, the agreed price or rate, a list of services included, the payment terms, and information about the company’s liability coverage.
If you are handed a contract with blank fields, told to sign before reviewing it properly, or pressured to move quickly through the paperwork, stop. A reputable company will give you time to read what you are signing and answer any questions you have before the job begins.
They Have No Insurance or Cannot Explain Their Coverage
Every licensed moving company is required to carry some level of liability coverage for your belongings. Ask specifically what their coverage includes and what the process is if something gets damaged. A company that cannot answer this question clearly, or that becomes evasive when you ask, is one you should walk away from.
Basic released value protection, which most movers include by default, covers only a fraction of the actual value of your items. Ask about full value protection options if your belongings are worth more than the basic coverage would replace.
What to Do Instead
The best protection against moving scams is taking your time before committing. Get at least three written quotes from different companies. Verify licenses and DOT numbers independently. Read reviews across multiple platforms. Ask questions and pay attention to how the company responds. A reputable mover will welcome your questions because they have nothing to hide.
At Tidal Town Moving, we’re fully licensed, insured, and registered under DOT# 4033059 and VA DMV. We provide written quotes, explain our pricing clearly before the job starts, and stand behind every move we complete in Virginia Beach and beyond.
