$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
bait-and-switch moving truck scam
A moving company promises a full-size truck but arrives with a smaller vehicle, forcing a second trip at additional cost or leaving items behind.
“moving scam”
↑ 288%Key indicators
Usually targetsFamilies
Often hitsEducators and students
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
The company provides a low estimate without an in-home survey to assess the actual volume of belongings.
2
On moving day, a smaller truck arrives that cannot fit all the items.
3
The customer is charged for a second trip or shuttle service, sometimes doubling the original cost.
What to do first
Insist on an in-home or detailed video survey before accepting any estimate.
Related terms
truck swap scamundersized truck moverssplit load moving scamMoving and relocation scamsPhoneRisingFamiliesRelocating workersCollege studentsEducators and studentsRetirees and seniorsParents and familiesUnited StatesCanadatruck swap scamundersized truck movers
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Laura, 35, a families, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate moving and relocation scams situation while using Phone. The company provides a low estimate without an in-home survey to assess the actual volume of belongings.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: On moving day, a smaller truck arrives that cannot fit all the items.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The customer is charged for a second trip or shuttle service, sometimes doubling the original cost.
The outcome
Laura realized something was wrong when truck that arrives is visibly too small for the household inventory. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Insist on an in-home or detailed video survey before accepting any estimate. Laura's experience shows why truck that arrives is visibly too small for the household inventory and crew claims a second trip is needed at an additional charge not in the contract are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Truck that arrives is visibly too small for the household inventory
- Crew claims a second trip is needed at an additional charge not in the contract
- Company did not send anyone to assess the volume of items before the move
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Insist on an in-home or detailed video survey before accepting any estimate.
- ✓Get the truck size and estimated cubic footage specified in the written contract.
- ✓If the truck is undersized, document it with photos and file a complaint with FMCSA and BBB.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Save the full chat or call log before blocking the sender so the reporting path still has the original context.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- Consumer complaints about undersized trucks and surprise second-trip fees are among the most common moving fraud reports to the BBB.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Tell close contacts if a phone or text scam used your identity, so scammers cannot reuse the same story against people around you.
- ✓Insist on an in-home or detailed video survey before accepting any estimate.
- ✓Get the truck size and estimated cubic footage specified in the written contract.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
Consumer complaints about undersized trucks and surprise second-trip fees are among the most common moving fraud reports to the BBB.
BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Families, Relocating workers, College students
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada
Primary channel
Phone — Moving and relocation scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Families are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- Consumer complaints about undersized trucks and surprise second-trip fees are among the most common moving fraud reports to the BBB.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about bait-and-switch moving truck scam
How does the bait-and-switch moving truck scam work?+
The company provides a low estimate without an in-home survey to assess the actual volume of belongings. On moving day, a smaller truck arrives that cannot fit all the items. The customer is charged for a second trip or shuttle service, sometimes doubling the original cost.
What are the warning signs of bait-and-switch moving truck scam?+
Truck that arrives is visibly too small for the household inventory Crew claims a second trip is needed at an additional charge not in the contract Company did not send anyone to assess the volume of items before the move
What should I do if I encounter bait-and-switch moving truck scam?+
Insist on an in-home or detailed video survey before accepting any estimate. Get the truck size and estimated cubic footage specified in the written contract. If the truck is undersized, document it with photos and file a complaint with FMCSA and BBB.
Who is most at risk for bait-and-switch moving truck scam?+
This scam primarily targets Families, Relocating workers, College students. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada and typically appears on Phone.
Is bait-and-switch moving truck scam on the rise?+
bait-and-switch moving truck scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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