How to Avoid Moving Scams & Deposit Traps in Florida

Florida sees a steady stream of complaints about rogue moving companies every year, ranging from wildly inflated final bills to crews that refuse to unload a truck until an additional cash payment is made on the spot. These operators typically look legitimate right up until moving day, which is exactly what makes them dangerous. Knowing the warning signs ahead of time is the best protection you have.

These scams tend to follow a predictable pattern: a suspiciously low quote given over the phone with no in-home or video walkthrough, followed by a much higher price once the truck is already loaded and your belongings are effectively held as leverage. Recognizing that pattern before you book is far easier than trying to fight it on moving day.

Red Flag #1: No FDACS Registration

Any company performing moves within Florida is legally required to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and display its registration number on its trucks, website, and paperwork. Companies moving belongings across state lines instead need FMCSA registration, shown as a USDOT and MC number.

Before booking, ask for the company's registration number and verify it directly through the FDACS website. A company that's evasive about this question, or can't produce a number at all, is not one you should hire regardless of how good the phone quote sounded.

The FDACS search tool lets you look up a moving company by name or registration number in under a minute, and it will show you whether the registration is active, expired, or has any complaints on file. It's a free check that takes less time than reading a single online review, and it's worth doing before booking any residential move, no matter how small.

Red Flag #2: Huge Deposits Before the Move

Legitimate moving companies rarely require a large deposit before the job starts, and many require none at all for local moves. Scammers, on the other hand, frequently ask for a sizable upfront payment, then either fail to show up or hold belongings hostage on the truck, demanding more cash before they'll unload.

If a company insists on cash-only payment or a large deposit with no written contract, treat that as a serious warning sign and look elsewhere. Paying by credit card whenever possible also gives you a dispute option through your card issuer that cash simply doesn't offer.

Red Flag #3: Vague or Verbal-Only Estimates

A trustworthy mover will provide a written estimate, ideally after seeing your belongings in person or over video, rather than guessing a number over the phone. Ask whether the estimate is binding or non-binding, and get clear on what happens if the final job takes longer or involves more items than expected.

Companies offering straightforward local moving with transparent hourly rates and clear written terms are far less likely to surprise you with a bill that's double the original quote. Also ask specifically about extra charges for stairs, long carries, or bulky items, since these are common places where a lowball verbal quote quietly balloons on move day.

Red Flag #4: Unmarked Trucks and No Local Address

A legitimate moving company operates from a real, verifiable business address and uses trucks marked with its company name and registration number. If a company can't provide a physical address, or the trucks that show up are unmarked rental vehicles, that's a strong indicator you're dealing with an unregistered operation.

Reviews matter too. A company with a long track record of five-star Google reviews, like our 185 reviews from customers across South Florida, has a real reputation on the line, unlike a fly-by-night operator that disappears and reappears under a new name each season. Cross-check reviews across Google and the Better Business Bureau rather than relying only on testimonials posted on the company's own website.

How to Vet a Mover Before You Book

A few minutes of research before you sign anything can save you from a much longer, more expensive headache after moving day.

• Verify FDACS registration (or FMCSA/USDOT for interstate moves) directly on the government website
• Read recent reviews, not just the ones featured on the company's own site
• Get a written estimate with clear hourly rates or binding pricing
• Confirm the company carries liability insurance and ask to see proof
• Avoid any company that demands cash-only payment or a large deposit

Residents in Hollywood and across Broward County can use this same checklist regardless of which company they're considering, not just when booking with us.

What to Do If You Suspect You're Already Dealing With a Scam

If a company you've already booked starts showing warning signs, cancel before moving day whenever possible. A sudden refusal to provide a written estimate, a last-minute demand for cash payment, or an unmarked truck showing up instead of the one advertised are all reasons to walk away, even if it means scrambling to find a replacement crew on short notice.

If your belongings are already on a truck and the company is demanding additional payment before unloading, contact local law enforcement and file a complaint with FDACS or, for interstate moves, the FMCSA, immediately. Document every conversation and payment demand in writing or by text rather than over the phone, since a written record matters far more than a verbal dispute if the situation escalates to a formal complaint.

Expert Insight: The One Question That Filters Out Most Bad Actors

If there's one question worth asking every company you're considering, it's this: "Can you give me your FDACS or USDOT registration number right now, on this call?" A legitimate company knows this number the way they know their own phone number, because they're required to display it on trucks and paperwork. Scammers hesitate, deflect, or claim they'll "text it over later," which almost never happens.

We give ours out on every call without hesitation, and we'd encourage you to hold any company you're comparing to that same standard. Verifying a registration number against the FDACS or FMCSA database takes about thirty seconds, and that thirty seconds has saved plenty of South Florida families from a much worse moving day.

Book With a Company That Has Nothing to Hide

Let's Go Moving is fully licensed, insured, and registered, with 185 five-star Google reviews backing up every job we do. We give written estimates, never demand cash deposits, and never hold belongings hostage. Call (213) 691-0609 for a transparent quote you can trust.