Most moving companies are reputable businesses that do quality work. But some moving companies use fraudulent practices to steal your money. Learn how to spot moving fraud before it happens, or find out how to report it if a company has scammed you. How Some Moving Companies May Try to Cheat You Fraudulent movers may: Demand cash upfront before the move Avoid giving you a written estimate Ask you to sign a blank contract in advance Only have one cell phone number as a contact and no local physical address Show up at your house with a rental truck with no company logo on it Give you a quote over the phone without any onsite inspection of your goods Give you a low price and change the estimate substantially at your destination Hold your belongings hostage until you pay more money How to Report Moving Scams If you have a dispute with a moving company and can’t resolve it, you can pursue arbitration or legal action. If you have an issue with a move across state lines, file a complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If you have a complaint about an intrastate move (a move within the boundaries of a state), contact your state or local regulatory authority. File a report using the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker. How to Hire a Mover and Protect Yourself Get tools from Protect Your Move to help you protect yourself against moving fraud. Keep these tips in mind to avoid moving scams: Do: Get a company representative to come to your home for a realistic estimate of the move. Get a written estimate from several movers. In general, estimates are based on time, the number of movers needed, who does the packing, and the number of rooms to be moved. Verify that the company is insured in case your goods are damaged during the move. Ask for the company’s U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number and use the FMCSA database to check if the company is registered. Reach out to your local, county, or state consumer affairs agency or state attorney general to see if there is a complaint record. Don’t: Don’t accept an estimate over the phone. Don’t sign a blank contract. Don’t pay for the move in advance or in cash. Don’t let movers start packing your goods into the truck without reviewing the contract and estimate again. Do this before the move starts. How to Get Help With International Moves Get tips and resources about moving to another country. Overseas moving estimates are based in part on how much space (cubic volume) your household goods occupy in a shipping container. International moving may involve customs and import regulations.  Learn more by contacting the embassy or consulate of the country you are relocating to.  Before selecting a mover, make sure the company is licensed and registered. All legitimate international movers will have a license number. To find a mover’s license number, find the mover’s name in the Ocean Freight Forwarders database and click on the entry to see the license number.  You can file a complaint with the FMC’s Office of Consumer Affairs & Dispute Resolution Services (CADRS). Learn more about international moves and how to protect yourself and your household belongings.