$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
lowball moving estimate scam
A moving company quotes an unrealistically low price to win the job, then dramatically increases the cost on moving day when belongings are already loaded.
“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 company gives an attractively low estimate without inspecting the household goods in person or via video.
2
On moving day, the crew loads the truck and then presents a revised bill that is two to three times the original quote.
3
The customer must pay the inflated price or risk having their belongings held hostage on the truck.
What to do first
Get at least three in-home or detailed video estimates and be wary of any quote far below the others.
Related terms
lowball bid moversbait-and-switch moving estimateunderquoting moversMoving and relocation scamsWebsiteRisingRelocating workersFamiliesCollege studentsTech workers and developersEducators and studentsParents and familiesUnited StatesCanadalowball bid moversbait-and-switch moving estimate
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Fatima, 35, a relocating workers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate moving and relocation scams situation while using Website. The company gives an attractively low estimate without inspecting the household goods in person or via video.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: On moving day, the crew loads the truck and then presents a revised bill that is two to three times the original quote.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The customer must pay the inflated price or risk having their belongings held hostage on the truck.
The outcome
Fatima realized something was wrong when estimate is significantly lower than all other quotes for the same move. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Get at least three in-home or detailed video estimates and be wary of any quote far below the others. Fatima's experience shows why estimate is significantly lower than all other quotes for the same move and company provides a quote without conducting an in-home or video survey are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Estimate is significantly lower than all other quotes for the same move
- Company provides a quote without conducting an in-home or video survey
- Estimate is given over the phone based on a brief description only
- 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
- ✓Get at least three in-home or detailed video estimates and be wary of any quote far below the others.
- ✓Confirm the mover is registered with FMCSA by checking their USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
- ✓File a complaint with FMCSA and your state consumer protection office if you are overcharged.
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 receives thousands of household goods moving complaints each year, with price disputes being the most common category.
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.
- ✓Get at least three in-home or detailed video estimates and be wary of any quote far below the others.
- ✓Confirm the mover is registered with FMCSA by checking their USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
- ✓File a complaint with FMCSA and your state consumer protection office if you are overcharged.
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 receives thousands of household goods moving complaints each year, with price disputes being the most common category.
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
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 receives thousands of household goods moving complaints each year, with price disputes being the most common category.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about lowball moving estimate scam
How does the lowball moving estimate scam work?+
The company gives an attractively low estimate without inspecting the household goods in person or via video. On moving day, the crew loads the truck and then presents a revised bill that is two to three times the original quote. The customer must pay the inflated price or risk having their belongings held hostage on the truck.
What are the warning signs of lowball moving estimate scam?+
Estimate is significantly lower than all other quotes for the same move Company provides a quote without conducting an in-home or video survey Estimate is given over the phone based on a brief description only
What should I do if I encounter lowball moving estimate scam?+
Get at least three in-home or detailed video estimates and be wary of any quote far below the others. Confirm the mover is registered with FMCSA by checking their USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. File a complaint with FMCSA and your state consumer protection office if you are overcharged.
Who is most at risk for lowball moving estimate scam?+
This scam primarily targets Relocating workers, Families, College students. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada and typically appears on Website.
Is lowball moving estimate scam on the rise?+
lowball moving estimate 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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