Questions to Ask a Moving Company Before You Hire
A few questions, asked before any money changes hands, surface most moving scams. What matters is less the question than the answer — a straight answer is a good sign, and a dodge is a flag. Here are the ones that reveal the most, and why each matters. It is general information, not legal advice.
”Are you the carrier or a broker — and what’s your USDOT or MC number?”
This single question does double duty. It tells you whether the company will actually move your goods or hand them off (a broker vs. a carrier), and it gives you the number to look the company up in FMCSA’s free SAFER system, which shows registration, authority, and insurance.[2] A company that won’t give a number, or whose number doesn’t match its name, is the clearest early warning.[1] (More: brokers vs. carriers.)
”Will you do an in-home or video survey?”
A reputable interstate mover wants to see what it is moving. The FTC flags a binding price quoted sight unseen as a setup for a later “you have more than we thought” increase.[3] “We can quote you over the phone” is convenient and a flag at the same time.
”Is the estimate binding or non-binding — and will it be in writing?”
The answer sets the ceiling on what can be required at delivery (100% binding / 110% non-binding), and a refusal to put it in writing removes the document the federal rule is measured against. See binding vs. non-binding.
”How much deposit do you require, and how do you take payment?”
A demand for a large up-front deposit, especially by cash, wire, or a payment app, is a recurring hallmark of moving fraud.[3] A credit card keeps dispute rights in play; cash does not.
”What liability or valuation options do you offer?”
A legitimate mover can explain Full Value Protection versus Released Value (the free 60-cents-per-pound option). A vague answer about what happens if something breaks is a sign the claims process will be vague too — see a damage claim.
”If you’re a broker, which carrier will actually perform the move?”
If the company is arranging rather than moving, the name and USDOT number of the actual carrier is fair to ask for — and to look up in SAFER as well.
If a booking goes wrong despite the questions, movers scammed me — what to do lays out the ordered path.
Sources
Every legal claim above links to one of these official sources. Rules change — check the source if you're acting on this.