$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
PCS military moving scam
Fraudulent moving companies target military families during permanent change of station relocations, giving low estimates then holding belongings hostage for inflated fees.
“military romance scam”
↑ 100%Key indicators
Usually targetsActive duty
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
Fraudulent movers advertise low rates targeting military families who face tight PCS timelines and limited flexibility.
2
After loading belongings onto the truck, the company demands a much higher price than quoted.
3
If the family cannot pay the inflated amount, their possessions are held in storage with additional daily fees until payment is made.
What to do first
Verify any moving company through the FMCSA database at protectyourmove.gov and check for active licensing.
Related terms
military relocation scamPCS moving fraudhostage moving scamMilitary scamsWebsiteSurgingActive dutyMilitary familiesMilitary spousesTech workers and developersMilitary and veteransParents and familiesUnited Statesmilitary relocation scamPCS moving fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Megan, 35, a active duty, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate military scams situation while using Website. Fraudulent movers advertise low rates targeting military families who face tight PCS timelines and limited flexibility.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: After loading belongings onto the truck, the company demands a much higher price than quoted.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: If the family cannot pay the inflated amount, their possessions are held in storage with additional daily fees until payment is made.
The outcome
Megan realized something was wrong when moving estimate is significantly lower than other quotes for the same distance and volume. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify any moving company through the FMCSA database at protectyourmove.gov and check for active licensing. Megan's experience shows why moving estimate is significantly lower than other quotes for the same distance and volume and the company requires a large cash deposit before loading begins are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Moving estimate is significantly lower than other quotes for the same distance and volume
- The company requires a large cash deposit before loading begins
- They are not registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- 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 any moving company through the FMCSA database at protectyourmove.gov and check for active licensing.
- ✓Use the military's official moving programs — the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) — to find vetted carriers.
- ✓Report fraudulent movers to the FMCSA, your installation's Transportation Office, and the 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.
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 has taken enforcement action against hundreds of fraudulent moving companies, many of which specifically targeted military families during PCS season.
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 any moving company through the FMCSA database at protectyourmove.gov and check for active licensing.
- ✓Use the military's official moving programs — the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) — to find vetted carriers.
- ✓Report fraudulent movers to the FMCSA, your installation's Transportation Office, and the BBB.
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 has taken enforcement action against hundreds of fraudulent moving companies, many of which specifically targeted military families during PCS season.
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
Active duty, Military families, Military spouses
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
Website — Military scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Active duty 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 has taken enforcement action against hundreds of fraudulent moving companies, many of which specifically targeted military families during PCS season.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about pcs military moving scam
How does the pcs military moving scam work?+
Fraudulent movers advertise low rates targeting military families who face tight PCS timelines and limited flexibility. After loading belongings onto the truck, the company demands a much higher price than quoted. If the family cannot pay the inflated amount, their possessions are held in storage with additional daily fees until payment is made.
What are the warning signs of pcs military moving scam?+
Moving estimate is significantly lower than other quotes for the same distance and volume The company requires a large cash deposit before loading begins They are not registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
What should I do if I encounter pcs military moving scam?+
Verify any moving company through the FMCSA database at protectyourmove.gov and check for active licensing. Use the military's official moving programs — the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) — to find vetted carriers. Report fraudulent movers to the FMCSA, your installation's Transportation Office, and the BBB.
Who is most at risk for pcs military moving scam?+
This scam primarily targets Active duty, Military families, Military spouses. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on Website.
Is pcs military moving scam getting worse?+
PCS military moving scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US. 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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