$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
cross-country moving fraud
Long-distance movers exploit the complexity of interstate moves to pad charges, delay delivery for weeks, or damage belongings without accountability.
“moving scam”
↑ 288%Key indicators
Usually targetsRelocating workers
Often hitsTech workers and developers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
A moving broker books the job online, then subcontracts the actual move to an unknown carrier.
2
The carrier arrives on a different date than promised, charges more than the broker quoted, and offers minimal communication during transit.
3
Items arrive late, damaged, or partially missing, and the broker and carrier each blame the other.
What to do first
Ask whether the company is a broker or an actual carrier — brokers must disclose this under FMCSA rules.
Related terms
interstate moving scamlong-distance mover fraudcross-state moving rip-offMoving and relocation scamsWebsiteRisingRelocating workersFamiliesTech workers and developersParents and familiesOnline shoppersUnited Statesinterstate moving scamlong-distance mover fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Samantha, 35, a relocating workers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate moving and relocation scams situation while using Website. A moving broker books the job online, then subcontracts the actual move to an unknown carrier.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The carrier arrives on a different date than promised, charges more than the broker quoted, and offers minimal communication during transit.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Items arrive late, damaged, or partially missing, and the broker and carrier each blame the other.
The outcome
Samantha realized something was wrong when delivery window is extremely vague — anywhere from 5 to 30 days. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Ask whether the company is a broker or an actual carrier — brokers must disclose this under FMCSA rules. Samantha's experience shows why delivery window is extremely vague — anywhere from 5 to 30 days and company cannot provide a single point of contact for shipment tracking are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Delivery window is extremely vague — anywhere from 5 to 30 days
- Company cannot provide a single point of contact for shipment tracking
- The moving broker and actual carrier are different companies with no clear accountability
- 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
- ✓Ask whether the company is a broker or an actual carrier — brokers must disclose this under FMCSA rules.
- ✓Require the carrier's USDOT number and verify their complaint history independently.
- ✓Purchase full-value protection insurance rather than the default released-value coverage of 60 cents per pound.
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.
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.
- FMCSA data shows that complaints about moving brokers have increased significantly as more moves are booked online.
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.
- ✓Ask whether the company is a broker or an actual carrier — brokers must disclose this under FMCSA rules.
- ✓Require the carrier's USDOT number and verify their complaint history independently.
- ✓Purchase full-value protection insurance rather than the default released-value coverage of 60 cents per pound.
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.
FMCSA data shows that complaints about moving brokers have increased significantly as more moves are booked online.
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
Relocating workers, Families
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
Website — Moving and relocation scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Relocating workers 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
- FMCSA data shows that complaints about moving brokers have increased significantly as more moves are booked online.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about cross-country moving fraud
How does the cross-country moving fraud work?+
A moving broker books the job online, then subcontracts the actual move to an unknown carrier. The carrier arrives on a different date than promised, charges more than the broker quoted, and offers minimal communication during transit. Items arrive late, damaged, or partially missing, and the broker and carrier each blame the other.
What are the warning signs of cross-country moving fraud?+
Delivery window is extremely vague — anywhere from 5 to 30 days Company cannot provide a single point of contact for shipment tracking The moving broker and actual carrier are different companies with no clear accountability
What should I do if I encounter cross-country moving fraud?+
Ask whether the company is a broker or an actual carrier — brokers must disclose this under FMCSA rules. Require the carrier's USDOT number and verify their complaint history independently. Purchase full-value protection insurance rather than the default released-value coverage of 60 cents per pound.
Who is most at risk for cross-country moving fraud?+
This scam primarily targets Relocating workers, Families. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on Website.
Is cross-country moving fraud on the rise?+
cross-country moving fraud is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Recent reports
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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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