A legitimate moving company will pass every check on this list in under ten minutes — and a fraudulent one will fail at least two. Before you sign anything or pay a deposit, verify the mover's USDOT number, confirm active insurance, read a cross-section of real reviews, and get everything you've been promised in writing. Those four steps alone eliminate the vast majority of moving fraud.
After 35-plus years running moving operations across the country, we've seen the same patterns over and over: a low-ball quote, a vague contract, a crew that shows up in an unmarked truck. The good news is that every one of those warning signs is checkable before you book. Here's the full process.
Why vetting a mover matters more than finding the cheapest price
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates that moving fraud costs American consumers tens of millions of dollars every year. The most common scheme — sometimes called a "hostage load" — goes like this: a mover gives you a low estimate, loads your belongings, then demands a far higher payment before releasing them. Under federal law (49 U.S.C. § 13905), interstate movers are required to deliver your goods at the original price on a binding estimate, but collecting what's owed from a bad actor is slow and painful. Prevention is everything.
Before you even request a quote, pull up our directory and find movers with verified credentials in your area. Starting with a pre-screened list cuts your vetting time in half.
Step 1: Look up the mover's USDOT number on the FMCSA database
Any mover crossing state lines must have a USDOT number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Intrastate movers (moving you within one state) are regulated by that state's DOT or Public Utilities Commission (PUC) — but many reputable local companies hold a USDOT number anyway.
Here's how to verify in under two minutes:
- Ask the mover for their USDOT number and, for interstate moves, their MC (Motor Carrier) number.
- Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and enter the number in the search box.
- Confirm the company status reads "Active" — not "Inactive" or "Revoked."
- Check that "HHG" (Household Goods) is listed as an authorized cargo type.
- Look at the insurance on file: minimum federal requirements for interstate movers are $750,000 in liability, though most reputable carriers carry $1 million or more.
- Note the company's physical address — if it doesn't match what's on their website or quote, ask why.
If a mover can't provide a USDOT number or tells you they "don't need one," walk away. For an interstate move, that's a federal requirement, full stop.
Step 2: Verify state-level licensing for local moves
For moves within a single state, licensing is governed by the state — not FMCSA. Requirements vary significantly:
| State example | Regulating body | What to look up |
|---|---|---|
| California | CA Public Utilities Commission | MTR (Mover's Transportation Registration) number |
| Texas | TX Dept. of Motor Vehicles | TxDMV moving company permit |
| Florida | FL Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services | IM (Intrastate Mover) license number |
| New York | NY Dept. of Transportation | NYDOT license number |
| Illinois | IL Commerce Commission | ICC permit |
Most state agencies have an online lookup tool. If yours doesn't appear above, search "[your state] intrastate moving company license lookup" — every state with licensing requirements publishes a public directory. When you browse movers by state, you can also filter by location and cross-reference what you find there.
Step 3: Audit their reviews — the right way
Volume and recency matter more than average star rating. A company with 200 reviews averaging 4.3 stars is more trustworthy than one with 12 reviews averaging 4.9. Here's what to read:
- 1-star reviews from the last 12 months — look for patterns, not isolated incidents. One broken lamp in 500 moves is normal. Three complaints about surprise charges in six months is a pattern.
- How the company responds — professional movers respond to negative reviews calmly and offer to make things right. Defensive, dismissive responses are a red flag.
- Specificity — real reviews mention crew names, neighborhoods, and details. Generic five-star reviews with no specifics ("great service, highly recommend!") are sometimes fabricated.
- Review velocity — a sudden spike of five-star reviews in a single week can signal fake reviews.
You can read verified mover reviews on our platform, which flags patterns in feedback so you're not reading raw, unfiltered scores.
Our post on how to read mover reviews goes deeper on exactly what signals to trust and which to discount.
Step 4: Ask these five questions before you book
A confident, experienced mover answers these without hesitation. An evasive answer to any one of them is worth noting.
- "Can you give me your USDOT and MC numbers in writing?" — Should take two seconds.
- "Is your estimate binding or non-binding, and what can change the final price?" — See our full breakdown of binding vs. non-binding moving estimates if the answer confuses you.
- "What is your claims process if something is damaged?" — A legitimate mover will reference their valuation coverage and direct you to a written claims procedure.
- "Who will actually be doing the move — your own employees or subcontractors?" — Subcontracting isn't automatically bad, but you should know, and the sub should also be licensed.
- "Do you do in-home or video estimates, or only phone/online quotes?" — For moves over a 2-bedroom, any reputable mover should offer a visual assessment. A quote based on a two-minute phone call for a large move is almost always going to be wrong — and often deliberately low.
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Step 5: Read the contract before you sign anything
Federal law (49 CFR Part 375) requires interstate movers to give you a written order for service and a bill of lading before your goods are loaded. For local moves, contract requirements vary by state, but any professional mover will provide one.
Check the written agreement for:
- Pickup and delivery dates (or windows) stated explicitly
- Binding or non-binding estimate clearly labeled
- Valuation/liability level you selected (Released Value at $0.60/lb per item is the free default; Full Value Protection typically costs extra)
- Extra charges — stairs, long carries, elevator waits, fuel surcharges — itemized, not buried
- Cancellation and rescheduling policy
If the contract is blank where any of these should appear, or if you're told "we'll fill that in later," do not sign. Our guide on how to read a moving quote walks through every line item you should expect to see.
Also review our post on moving hidden fees and surcharges — knowing what's normal to charge for (and what isn't) will help you spot a contract designed to surprise you.
Red flags that should stop you in your tracks
| Red flag | What it likely means |
|---|---|
| No USDOT number provided | Unlicensed operator; no federal recourse if things go wrong |
| Requires large cash deposit (>25% of estimate) | Common fraud setup — money disappears, mover doesn't show |
| Estimate given without seeing your belongings (for large moves) | Quote will almost certainly rise |
| No physical address or only a P.O. box | Possible shell operation |
| Truck has no company markings | May be a rogue broker's subcontractor |
| Price dramatically lower than two other quotes | Lowball tactic; expect a price spike on moving day |
| Pressure to sign immediately or "lose the date" | High-pressure sales tactic; legitimate movers don't do this |
For a full breakdown of fraud patterns, read our guide on how to spot a fraudulent mover.
What good vetting actually takes
In practice, a thorough vetting of one mover takes about 15–20 minutes:
- ~2 min: FMCSA SAFER lookup
- ~5 min: Read 10–15 reviews (mix of high and low)
- ~5 min: Ask the five questions above (or email them)
- ~5 min: Review the contract template they send
Do that for two or three candidates and you'll have a clear picture of who's trustworthy. You don't need to be an industry insider — you just need to know what to look for, and now you do.
When you're ready to start comparing candidates, find movers in your area through our directory. Every listing includes license status and a review summary so you're not starting from zero.
And if you want a human (or AI) to help you think it through, our agent Robert is available on-site to walk you through the process step by step.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a mover's USDOT number?
Ask the mover directly — any licensed interstate carrier will give it to you without hesitation. You can then verify it yourself at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. If a mover refuses to share their USDOT number or claims they don't have one for an interstate move, that's a disqualifying red flag under federal law.
What's the difference between a USDOT number and an MC number?
A USDOT number identifies the physical carrier and tracks their safety record. An MC (Motor Carrier) number is the operating authority that permits a company to move household goods for compensation across state lines. For interstate moves, a mover needs both. For intrastate moves, the MC number isn't required — but USDOT and/or state licensing typically still apply.
Is a large upfront deposit normal for a moving company?
A deposit of 10–25% of the estimated total is typical for many movers, especially for long-distance or high-demand dates. Anything over 25% — especially in cash — is unusual and worth questioning. Full payment demanded before loading is a serious red flag. For more detail, see our guide to moving company deposits.
What if the company passes all the checks but something still feels off?
Trust that instinct. "Feels off" often means the communication is evasive, the price keeps shifting, or the crew they're describing doesn't match what's in the contract. Request everything in writing, and if they push back, move to your next candidate. The right mover will never make you feel uncomfortable asking basic questions.
Do local movers need to be licensed too?
Yes — but by state agencies rather than FMCSA. Most states require intrastate movers to hold a permit from the state DOT, PUC, or a similar body. Requirements and enforcement vary; California, Texas, Florida, and New York have among the most active enforcement programs. Always verify local licensing directly with your state's relevant agency or check the mover's profile on a verified directory.
How many quotes should I get before booking?
We recommend at least three. Two quotes gives you a comparison; three reveals whether one is an outlier (high or low). Getting quotes from three movers also gives you leverage to ask follow-up questions and compare contract terms side by side — not just price.
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