How to Report a Moving Company: Every Place to File
If a moving company scammed you, there is no single “report a scam mover” button — there are several doors, and they do different things. Filing with the right ones, with your paperwork attached, builds the record that enforcement runs on. This page is the directory. It is general information, not legal advice.
Federal: the FMCSA complaint database (interstate moves)
For a move that crossed a state line, the federal place to report is FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB) — online at nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov, or by phone at 1-888-368-7238 (1-888-DOT-SAFT), 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Eastern, Monday–Friday.[1] The step-by-step, and what it does and doesn’t do, is in how to file an FMCSA complaint. (Not sure your move was interstate? Check with the Coverage Checker.)
Federal: the FTC, at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
The Federal Trade Commission takes reports of scams and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and shares them with thousands of federal, state, and local law enforcers.[2] The FTC does not resolve individual complaints, but the reports feed investigations and cases.
Federal: DOT Office of Inspector General (criminal patterns)
For conduct that goes beyond a billing dispute — coordinated fraud, extortion-style schemes, networks of shell companies — the U.S. DOT Office of Inspector General runs a hotline for moving fraud and serious misconduct.[3] It is where a documented, repeated, deliberate scheme belongs — not a routine overcharge.
State: your attorney general’s consumer-protection division
Your state attorney general is the office that can actually investigate a business, and it is the main path for an intrastate (in-state) move that the FMCSA does not cover. Find your state’s complaint page in the state directory.
The BBB and public pressure
A Better Business Bureau complaint has no legal force, but it creates a public record and sometimes prompts a company to respond or settle.[4]
Which to file first?
There is no wrong order. In practice, the NCCDB (interstate) and the FTC report build the federal record, the state attorney general matters most for an intrastate move, and the BBB adds public pressure — with money recovery running on its own track. The full ladder:
What you can do, step by step
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Get all your paperwork in hand
The written estimate(s), the bill of lading, your contract, and any texts or emails. Every step below needs these. Photograph everything.
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Calmly point to the contract and the rule
Show the mover the estimate and the 100% / 110% release figure, and ask for an itemized bill in writing. Many disputes end here. It won’t force release if the mover refuses.
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File an FMCSA hostage complaint — interstate moves only
File with the National Consumer Complaint Database and upload your estimate and bill of lading. It puts the mover on the federal enforcement radar. It cannot recover your money or act instantly.
NCCDB: nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov · 1-888-368-7238 (1-888-DOT-SAFT).
How to file, step by step → -
File with your state attorney general’s consumer-protection division
This is the office that can actually investigate — and the only real path for an intrastate (in-state) move.
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File a BBB complaint
Public pressure and mediation. No legal force, but it creates a record and sometimes moves a mover to settle.
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If you paid by credit card: a dispute may be available
The Fair Credit Billing Act lets a cardholder dispute a billing error in writing — including a charge for services not delivered as agreed — generally within 60 days of the statement. Whether a charge qualifies depends on the facts.
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Local law enforcement or a civil attorney
For a true refusal to deliver, a police report and a consultation with a civil attorney are the paths to getting goods back or recovering money.
Sources
Every legal claim above links to one of these official sources. Rules change — check the source if you're acting on this.