$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Craigslist moving service bait-and-switch scam
A moving company on Craigslist offers a low quote, then holds belongings hostage on the truck and demands a much higher payment on moving day.
“online shopping scam”
↑ 184%Key indicators
Usually targetsRenters
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$120
median reported loss
Typical range$24 – $1.2K
Recovery rate~40%
Annual reports370,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers advertise moving services on Craigslist at an unusually low price to attract customers.
2
On moving day, they load the victim's belongings and then demand a significantly higher payment, sometimes double or triple the original quote.
3
If the victim refuses to pay, the movers threaten to drive away with the belongings or charge daily storage fees.
What to do first
Only hire movers with a valid USDOT number (verify at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) and positive reviews on multiple platforms.
Related terms
moving hostage scamfake mover bait and switchOnline shopping scamsCraigslistSurgingRentersFamiliesAdultsSmall business ownersReal estate professionals and homebuyersParents and familiesUnited StatesCanadamoving hostage scamfake mover bait and switch
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Ahmed, 27, a renters, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate online shopping scams situation while using Craigslist. Scammers advertise moving services on Craigslist at an unusually low price to attract customers.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: On moving day, they load the victim's belongings and then demand a significantly higher payment, sometimes double or triple the original quote.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: If the victim refuses to pay, the movers threaten to drive away with the belongings or charge daily storage fees.
The outcome
Ahmed realized something was wrong when quote is dramatically lower than competitors without a reasonable explanation. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Only hire movers with a valid USDOT number (verify at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) and positive reviews on multiple platforms. Ahmed's experience shows why quote is dramatically lower than competitors without a reasonable explanation and moving company has no physical address, no usdot number, and limited online presence are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Quote is dramatically lower than competitors without a reasonable explanation
- Moving company has no physical address, no USDOT number, and limited online presence
- Contract is vague about final pricing or includes language allowing unlimited surcharges
- 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
- ✓Only hire movers with a valid USDOT number (verify at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) and positive reviews on multiple platforms.
- ✓Get written estimates from at least three companies and ensure the contract specifies a binding price.
- ✓If movers hold your belongings hostage, contact local police and file a complaint with the FMCSA.
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.
- ✓Preserve the listing ID, reservation ID, or the exact item URL because platform support will usually ask for it.
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.
- The FMCSA receives thousands of complaints annually about rogue moving companies, and moving scams consistently appear in BBB Scam Tracker data.
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.
- ✓Only hire movers with a valid USDOT number (verify at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) and positive reviews on multiple platforms.
- ✓Get written estimates from at least three companies and ensure the contract specifies a binding price.
- ✓If movers hold your belongings hostage, contact local police and file a complaint with the FMCSA.
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.
The FMCSA receives thousands of complaints annually about rogue moving companies, and moving scams consistently appear in BBB Scam Tracker data.
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
Renters, Families, Adults
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada
Primary channel
Craigslist — Online shopping scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Renters are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in 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
- The FMCSA receives thousands of complaints annually about rogue moving companies, and moving scams consistently appear in BBB Scam Tracker data.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about craigslist moving service bait-and-switch scam
How does the craigslist moving service bait-and-switch scam work?+
Scammers advertise moving services on Craigslist at an unusually low price to attract customers. On moving day, they load the victim's belongings and then demand a significantly higher payment, sometimes double or triple the original quote. If the victim refuses to pay, the movers threaten to drive away with the belongings or charge daily storage fees.
What are the warning signs of craigslist moving service bait-and-switch scam?+
Quote is dramatically lower than competitors without a reasonable explanation Moving company has no physical address, no USDOT number, and limited online presence Contract is vague about final pricing or includes language allowing unlimited surcharges
What should I do if I encounter craigslist moving service bait-and-switch scam?+
Only hire movers with a valid USDOT number (verify at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) and positive reviews on multiple platforms. Get written estimates from at least three companies and ensure the contract specifies a binding price. If movers hold your belongings hostage, contact local police and file a complaint with the FMCSA.
Who is most at risk for craigslist moving service bait-and-switch scam?+
This scam primarily targets Renters, Families, Adults. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada and typically appears on Craigslist.
Is craigslist moving service bait-and-switch scam getting worse?+
Craigslist moving service bait-and-switch scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. 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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