Before you hand over a deposit or sign a contract with a moving company, run this checklist. It takes about five minutes and eliminates the vast majority of fraudulent operators.
Step 1: Get the USDOT Number (30 seconds)
Ask for their USDOT number. If they hesitate or can't provide one, stop here — operating without a USDOT number means they're not licensed to move you across state lines.
Step 2: Look It Up at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov (2 minutes)
Enter the USDOT number. Verify: Operating status = Active. Operation type = Carrier (not just broker). Insurance = Current. Household goods authority = Yes. If any of these fail, look elsewhere.
Step 3: Check Their Physical Address (1 minute)
Google the business address. Does it show up on Street View as a legitimate commercial location? A residential address or a vacant lot is a red flag. A post office box as the only address is a red flag.
Step 4: Read Reviews Critically (1 minute)
Look at Google and BBB reviews. Filter for 1-star reviews and read them — not for the count but for the pattern. Complaints about price changes at delivery, missing items, and unresponsive customer service are the same complaints that appear in moving fraud cases. A cluster of similar negative experiences is a red flag regardless of the overall rating.
Step 5: Ask the Right Questions
- "Are you the carrier or a broker?" (you want a direct carrier)
- "Can you give me a binding estimate?" (if not, why not)
- "What's included in the estimate?" (get it in writing)