How to Find Moving Company Complaints Before You Hire?
TM
Written by TheMoveTips Editorial Team
Updated 6 min read
Quick Answer
Start your research by checking the FMCSA SAFER database for mandatory USDOT and MC license numbers.
Always verify that your chosen mover is registered to operate across state lines before paying any deposits.
If you run into issues, file complaints through the FMCSA and your state Attorney General office to document the problem properly.
Moving house ranks among the most stressful life events, trailing only behind death and divorce. With roughly 36 million Americans moving every year, the industry sees high volume and unfortunately, a significant amount of bad behavior. You deserve to know exactly who is handling your belongings before the truck arrives at your doorstep.
Learning how to find moving company complaints protects your finances and your peace of mind. Most reputable companies value their reputation, but rogue movers often hide behind aggressive marketing and misleading promises. Taking a few hours to dig into the background of a carrier now saves you from potential disasters later.
How can you verify a mover is legitimate
Every professional interstate mover must carry specific government credentials to operate legally. You should never hire a company that refuses to share these details or becomes defensive when you ask for them. A simple lookup on federal databases usually provides a clear picture of their standing.
Every legitimate interstate mover must have a USDOT number, and household goods movers specifically need operating authority, known as an MC number, from the FMCSA. You can verify both for free using the FMCSA public SAFER database. If a search yields no results or shows the company is inactive, that is your signal to stop the conversation immediately.
A legitimate company will also provide you with two specific documents before you sign anything. You are entitled to receive copies of Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move and the Ready to Move brochure. These publications explain the rules regarding estimates and insurance coverage. If a company fails to provide these or acts like they do not exist, treat it as a major red flag.
Where to find real moving company complaints
Public feedback serves as an early warning system for poor service or dishonest business practices. While every company might have an occasional unhappy customer, consistent patterns of complaints regarding lost goods or hidden fees should force you to look elsewhere. Checking multiple sources ensures you see the full story rather than just a filtered version of reality.
Public review platforms, the Better Business Bureau, and state regulatory offices are your primary tools for gathering this intel. Cross referencing these sources helps you separate honest grievances from occasional misunderstandings. If you find a pattern of reports regarding stolen items or damaged property, take those accounts seriously.
Review Source
Focus Area
Best Use
FMCSA SAFER
Federal Licensing
Verify legal operation status
Better Business Bureau
Business Integrity
Check for closed vs open complaints
State Attorney General
Consumer Fraud
Track legal investigations
Public Review Sites
Service Quality
Identify common customer service issues
When reading these reports, ignore emotional outbursts and focus on the facts. Did the company charge a higher price than the written estimate? Did they lose items and refuse to pay the claim? These are the types of incidents that indicate a company you should avoid at all costs.
What are your legal rights if a move goes wrong
Moving companies are not just businesses, they are governed by strict federal regulations designed to protect your property during transit. If your goods are damaged or your final bill is inflated, you have specific paths for recourse. Understanding these protections helps you stand your ground if a mover tries to bully you during the delivery process.
All interstate household goods movers are legally required to participate in an arbitration program to resolve disputes over loss, damage, or disputed charges. The company must summarize this program in writing before you sign the bill of lading. Do not sign that document until you have read the arbitration terms and asked any questions that come to mind.
Always keep a written copy of your estimate and any emails you exchange with the mover. Federal law mandates that your mover provides a summary of their dispute resolution process, so ensure you have this in your hands before your boxes are loaded.
If you suspect you have been cheated, document everything in writing. Send emails to the company to create a paper trail of the incident, and keep photos of all damaged items. If the company remains unresponsive, filing a formal report with your state Attorney General or the FMCSA adds your voice to the record.
Why you should demand transparent pricing
Surprise costs are the most common source of friction between customers and movers. Many companies lure clients in with low quotes only to increase the price once the truck is loaded and you have no other options. You can avoid this trap by ensuring every quote you receive is based on a physical or virtual survey of your items.
If you are currently trying to budget for a move, try our moving cost calculator to see what a realistic price range looks like for your specific distance and inventory. Getting a baseline number prevents you from falling for quotes that seem too good to be true. If a company refuses to provide a binding estimate after looking at your belongings, that is a warning sign that they may inflate the price later.
If you are interested in learning more about how costs are calculated, you can browse more cost guides to help you prepare for the process. Taking control of your budget and your data is the best defense against predatory companies. When you approach your move with the right information, you drastically reduce the chance of needing to file a complaint in the first place.
You should view star ratings with caution because many can be purchased or manipulated by marketing firms. It is much more effective to read the actual text of written complaints to see if specific issues like damage or price gouging appear repeatedly.
What should I do if a mover refuses to unload my items?
This is often a tactic to force payment of a higher price than what was originally quoted. You should call local law enforcement to document the incident and file a report with the FMCSA immediately since they have specific regulations against holding goods hostage.
Do I need to check with the Better Business Bureau?
The BBB provides a useful look at how a company handles customer grievances rather than just their general popularity. Checking their records helps you see if the mover has a history of failing to address claims or ignoring customer communication entirely.
Your move goes smoother when you take the time to verify the company’s history and credentials. Do not skip the background check, and always insist on a written, binding estimate before any work begins. Check your mover's license on the FMCSA website and compare their quote against our calculator to ensure you are paying a fair rate for your relocation.
