How the scam works
The low estimate
A suspiciously low quote is given, often without an in-home visit to assess the actual volume of your belongings.
The vanishing carrier
Some fake companies collect a deposit, then hand your move off to an unknown third-party carrier — you never meet the company you actually hired.
The loaded truck
Once your belongings are loaded, you lose physical control over them — the point of no return.
The hostage demand
At delivery, the mover demands a dramatically higher amount than quoted, refusing to unload until you pay.
Psychological levers used
These aren't isolated tricks: they're documented mechanisms, used in thousands of different scams. Explore the Grammar of Manipulation →
How to spot it
- No in-home visit before the estimate was given.
- A quote significantly lower than other estimates you received.
- No verifiable USDOT number on FMCSA.dot.gov.
What to do
- Get an in-home estimate and multiple quotes before booking.
- Verify the USDOT number at FMCSA.dot.gov.
- If a hostage demand happens, don't pay on the spot if avoidable — call local police to document it.
- Report the company to the FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238 or ProtectYourMove.gov, and to the BBB's Scam Tracker.
Egidio: your automatic phishing detector
Fake movers are often found through fraudulent ads or quote links shared on social media. Egidio flags known fraudulent links before you click.
Egidio scans links arriving through your messaging apps in real time, blocking known fraudulent pages.
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