How to Hire a Moving Company and Avoid Scams
A practical guide to hiring movers safely — verifying registration, spotting pricing and payment red flags, checking reviews, and protecting your belongings.
By ApnaWorker - reviewed by ApnaWorker Editorial Team - updated 2026-06-16T13:37:58.187813+00:00
Hiring movers should make a stressful day easier — but moving scams are common, and a bad company can hold your belongings hostage, inflate the bill, or vanish with your deposit. A little verification protects everything you own.
This guide covers how to check a mover is legitimate, the red flags that signal a scam, and how to protect your belongings before the truck arrives.
Verify the company is legitimate
For long-distance moves, look the company up in the official regulator's database (in the US, the FMCSA, by name or USDOT/MC number). A registered, recognised mover with a real online presence is the baseline.
Pay a surprise visit to their listed address if you can. A legitimate mover has a proper setup — signage, staff, and often their own trucks or warehouse. An empty or fake address is a major warning.
- Check the official regulator's database.
- Confirm a real online presence and registration.
- A fake or empty office address is a red flag.
Watch for pricing red flags
Be wary of a quote far below the rest. Fraudulent movers lure you with a low price, then add hidden charges or demand more on moving day. If a quote is around 30% under everyone else, something is wrong.
Get written, itemised estimates from several movers and an in-person or video survey of your belongings. A vague quote with no inspection often leads to surprise charges.
- Distrust quotes far below the others.
- Get written, itemised estimates.
- Insist on a proper survey of your goods.
Be careful with payments
Fraudulent movers often demand large upfront payments or insist on untraceable methods — personal Venmo or Zelle accounts, or money orders — while refusing cards, making disputes impossible.
A legitimate mover does not require a big deposit upfront. Prefer traceable payment methods so you have recourse if something goes wrong.
- Avoid large upfront payments.
- Be wary of untraceable payment demands.
- Prefer traceable methods like cards.
Check independent reviews and the contract
Do not rely on testimonials on the company's own website. Check third-party platforms like Google Maps or Trustpilot for genuine, consistent reviews.
Before signing, make sure the contract has specific pickup and delivery dates, a detailed cost breakdown, and clear payment terms. A vague contract leaves you exposed.
- Check third-party reviews, not just their site.
- Require specific pickup and delivery dates.
- Insist on a detailed cost breakdown.
Protect your belongings
Get transit insurance — it typically costs a small percentage of your goods' declared value and protects you if items are lost or damaged. It is well worth it for a big move.
Number every box, list the contents in a spreadsheet, and photograph valuable items before packing. On ApnaWorker you can view mover and packer profiles, see verified contacts, and message candidates directly.
- Get transit insurance for your goods.
- Number boxes and list their contents.
- Photograph valuables before packing.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a moving company is legitimate?
Look them up in the official regulator's database (in the US, the FMCSA by name or USDOT/MC number), confirm a real online presence, and ideally visit their listed address — a legitimate mover has proper signage, staff, and trucks.
What are the biggest moving-scam red flags?
A quote far below the rest (often ~30% lower), large upfront payment demands, untraceable payment methods like personal Venmo/Zelle while refusing cards, a vague contract, and no in-person or video survey of your belongings.
How should I pay movers safely?
Avoid large upfront deposits and untraceable payment methods. Prefer traceable options like a credit card so you have recourse to dispute charges if the company fails to deliver or inflates the bill.
How do I protect my belongings during a move?
Get transit insurance (usually a small percentage of declared value), number every box and list contents in a spreadsheet, and photograph valuable items before they are packed so you have evidence if anything is lost or damaged.