Moving is complicated enough. You don’t need to accidently pick the worst moving company on the planet. Or deal with moving scams. Unfortunately, it happens. Too often. So often, we wrote this to help you find the best long-distance movers and avoid those moving scams. Here are 14 great tips for how to avoid moving company scams.

A Long-Distance Move Has More Protection from Moving Scams

That’s the good news. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was setup to keep highways safer by enforcing safety regulations for interstate movers. The consumer abuses made them add bad-actor regulations which we will review, plus add some of our own based on experiences I and friends have had. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your homework. Here’s where to start.

Bellhop Moving team in Dallas, TX

1. Is the Moving Company FMCSA-Regulated?

Check to determine whether the interstate mover and broker is registered with FMCSA and has a U.S. DOT number. Typing in the name ‘Bellhop’, for example, brought up a data record for Bellhop Movers. You want to see the same search result. But wait, there’s more,

2. Is the Moving Company Background Info Readily Available?

The FMCSA expects you to be able to find the following information easily.

  • Location of the company’s headquarters
  • Contact information
  • Registration status
  • Type of authority (e.g. carrier, broker, freight forwarder, etc.) Bellhop Movers is a registered broker, for example. That’s ok; they find qualified movers for you.
  • Complaints and possibly a safety rating.

3. When You Call, Does Someone Answer?

Or call back? Take the time to dial and speak with someone at the mover’s phone number shown in the FMCSA data. I called Bellhop’s, went through the usual prompts and was rewarded with a real person. You want to do the same. If there is an answering machine, leave your phone. If they don’t call back, take them off your list.

Bellhop - "Best Movers Ever'

4. Do They Maintain Enough Insurance to Cover Your Household Goods?

Under Federal law, interstate movers must offer two different liability options referred to as valuation coverage: Full Value Protection and Released Value. You should read this before deciding which.

If you only read one tip for worst moving companies, read this one!

Released Value pays you back based on the weight of the damaged object – $0.60 (60 cents per pound), not its replacement value. A big, expensive, flat-screen TV weighing 50lbs would payout $30. Ouch!

This is a frequent complaint for any move when things are broken. Even highly rated long-distance movers unintentionally have breakage. So, think beforehand about what high-value objects are most likely to break and arrange to (1) pack them really well or (2) carry them yourself or (3) opt for Full Value Protection (and gather substantiating receipts).

I never ship with a mover family photo albums, important docs, sentimental objects if I can help it. My rule of thumb is: if I would grab it when the house is on fire, then I don’t ship it with movers. Imagine the leverage a bad mover would have if they had those items!

5. References Offered When Asked For?

If you have a very complicated move, say of a large household with many valuable furnishings, ask for references from similar moves. If none are provided, think about this choice.

6. Do They Offer a Required Booklet About Your Rights?

Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move is a pamphlet FMCSA wrote to inform you. It’s available from the mover and broker. Take it as a flag if they don’t offer one when you ask or send you a link to the same booklet.

FYI I checked and there are two versions, one updated in 2022. If they send you to a PDF file which does not say …2022updateand look like the above. think twice about using them.

7. Do They Discourage In-home Assessments?

Your charges are based on weight and miles. That often can require an inspection for a large family move. To avoid surprise charges schedule one. If they really balk, walk.

The Better Way to Move

Full disclosure: Bellhop Movers has pioneered instant online moving estimates that 99% of our customers use. Call them if you need reassurance and check their many reviews.

8. Will They Provide a Comprehensive Breakdown of Costs?

Be alert to hidden fees. Ask for a comprehensive breakdown of costs to avoid surprise charges. Walk if they brush it off.

9. Too Good to Be True Low-Ball Estimate

We assume you have gotten multiple bids. If a mover’s bid seems way low, it may be a red flag. It’s worth talking about. Long-distance movers can save you money by combining your move with others; (we wrote about it here). It may work for you, but be sure to check their reasons for the low-ball, too-good-to-be-true price.

10. Not Accept Credit Cards for Payment

Banks allow you to dispute credit card charges holding up payment – the primary reason the worst moving companies don’t like them. One phone call by you to your bank is a lot of leverage. Find another mover if they don’t accept credit cards.

11. Want a Big Cash Deposit in Advance

It’s typical for many services to expect a 25-50% deposit upfront. Ordering kitchen cabinets at Home Depot, securing a lease on a rental car, moving your stuff. Any amount over 50% may be a red flag.

12. Do the Reviews Trigger your Warning System?

Lots of reviews are good, but not necessarily enough. Look at the lower-rated reviews (#1s and #2s) to find complaints. Check for a healthy dialogue and an honest attempt by the company to fix the situation.

Moving is a challenging business. There are always grumblers, and others who have lots of damage due to their own improper wrapping (which movers like Bellhop can’t know when they pick up that box). Companies that care about their reputation will attempt to address what they can, and their comments will reflect it. If bad reviews receive no written explanation, go elsewhere. If someone is complaining about the .60 cents per pound replacement, it’s what the FMCSA rule says they can pay.

13. What Do Rating Agencies Say?

Your local Better Business Bureau should be one of the first places you go. Many legitimate movers will be accredited with the BBB. I was amazed how many movers are there in my town (Seattle). This is a great source.

14. Any Friends and Family Recommendations?

It seems like we are all moving. Your neighbors may know a top-rated  long-distance mover based on their experience. Check also with your HR department. Many large companies have moving assist services and may have a short list of best long-distance movers.

Conclusion

There are horror stories galore of the worst moving companies holding peoples’ goods for ransom. Don’t let this happen to you. Check for great movers like Bellhop Movers. They’re experts at long-distance moves. As brokers, they know the best long-distance moving companies. And they care about your stuff and their reputation. They’re big and they got that way by delivering on their promise of affordable, low stress moves.

Whether you’re looking at a long-distance move to Atlanta, a cross-country move to Los Angeles, or a interstate move to Chicago, Bellhop can help.

The FMCSA has a consumer protection regulation called the 110% Rule, which states that moving companies cannot demand payment greater than 110% of the cost of the original written estimate before delivering your items. We wrote this post so you will never experience it. But if you do, remembering it may help. Good luck with your move!

Nick Valentino