Rogue Mover "Hostage Load" Scam

Overview

Dishonest interstate moving companies lure customers with a low, non-binding estimate, then load the customer's entire household onto the truck and refuse to deliver or unload it until an inflated payment is made.

How It Works

A "rogue mover" or unregistered broker gives a customer a low estimate without ever doing an in-home survey, and may ask the customer to sign incomplete documents. On moving day, the crew loads every box and piece of furniture onto the truck, then presents a dramatically higher bill — far above the original quote. Because the goods are already loaded, the company holds the shipment "hostage," refusing to unload or deliver it until the customer pays the new, inflated amount. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the DOT agency that enforces federal consumer protection regulations related to the interstate shipment of household goods, has run enforcement campaigns against such movers and brokers.

Red Flags

• No in-home estimate before giving a quote
• Mover asks you to sign incomplete documentation
• Company fails to register with FMCSA

Real Examples

• FMCSA's newsroom describes a nationwide enforcement sweep "ahead of busy summer moving season" in which the agency conducted an enforcement sweep and provided consumer resources after complaints about movers holding possessions hostage.
• FMCSA's 2013 "Protect Your Move" campaign announcement noted that among the most common complaints in 2012 were shipments being held hostage, loss, damage or delay of shipments, unauthorized movers, and deceptive practices such as overcharges, with New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago topping the list of cities with the most complaints that year.

Where It Spreads

How to Protect Yourself

• Get a written estimate based on an actual in-home inventory walk-through before booking
• Verify the company's registration and complaint history through FMCSA's online resources before booking
• Review FMCSA's moving fraud prevention checklist and tips for a successful move before your move
• If you experience moving fraud, file a complaint with FMCSA's national consumer complaint database or call the nationwide complaint hotline

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