$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
fake moving company scam
A company that exists only on paper takes deposits for moves it never intends to complete, then disappears or demands more money.
“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
The scammer creates a professional-looking website and buys positive fake reviews to appear legitimate.
2
Customers pay a deposit to reserve their moving date.
3
On moving day, no crew appears and the company's phone number is disconnected.
What to do first
Verify the company's USDOT number and complaint history at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before hiring.
Related terms
phantom movershell moving companyfraudulent moverMoving and relocation scamsWebsiteRisingRelocating workersFamiliesCollege studentsTech workers and developersEducators and studentsParents and familiesUnited StatesCanadaUnited Kingdomphantom movershell moving company
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Lisa, 35, a relocating workers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate moving and relocation scams situation while using Website. The scammer creates a professional-looking website and buys positive fake reviews to appear legitimate.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Customers pay a deposit to reserve their moving date.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: On moving day, no crew appears and the company's phone number is disconnected.
The outcome
Lisa realized something was wrong when company has no physical address — only a p.o. box or virtual office. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify the company's USDOT number and complaint history at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before hiring. Lisa's experience shows why company has no physical address — only a p.o. box or virtual office and website was registered very recently and has only generic stock photos are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Company has no physical address — only a P.O. box or virtual office
- Website was registered very recently and has only generic stock photos
- No USDOT number or state licensing information is displayed
- 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
- ✓Verify the company's USDOT number and complaint history at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before hiring.
- ✓Pay deposits with a credit card so you can dispute the charge if the company does not show up.
- ✓Check the BBB, Google Reviews, and Yelp for complaints — look for patterns rather than individual reviews.
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.
- The BBB reports that moving company scams consistently rank among the top complaint categories, with losses often exceeding 3,000 USD.
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.
- ✓Verify the company's USDOT number and complaint history at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before hiring.
- ✓Pay deposits with a credit card so you can dispute the charge if the company does not show up.
- ✓Check the BBB, Google Reviews, and Yelp for complaints — look for patterns rather than individual reviews.
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 BBB reports that moving company scams consistently rank among the top complaint categories, with losses often exceeding 3,000 USD.
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, College students
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, United Kingdom
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
- The BBB reports that moving company scams consistently rank among the top complaint categories, with losses often exceeding 3,000 USD.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fake moving company scam
How does the fake moving company scam work?+
The scammer creates a professional-looking website and buys positive fake reviews to appear legitimate. Customers pay a deposit to reserve their moving date. On moving day, no crew appears and the company's phone number is disconnected.
What are the warning signs of fake moving company scam?+
Company has no physical address — only a P.O. box or virtual office Website was registered very recently and has only generic stock photos No USDOT number or state licensing information is displayed
What should I do if I encounter fake moving company scam?+
Verify the company's USDOT number and complaint history at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before hiring. Pay deposits with a credit card so you can dispute the charge if the company does not show up. Check the BBB, Google Reviews, and Yelp for complaints — look for patterns rather than individual reviews.
Who is most at risk for fake moving company scam?+
This scam primarily targets Relocating workers, Families, College students. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom and typically appears on Website.
Is fake moving company scam on the rise?+
fake moving company scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, CA, UK. 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.
Relevant collections