Moving Scams: How to Avoid Them
Most moving companies are legitimate, but the scams that exist can cost you thousands or hold your belongings hostage. These are the real red flags to check before you book anyone.
The hostage-load scam
This is the most serious one. A crew loads your entire home onto their truck, then demands a much higher price, in cash, before they'll unload it. Your belongings are effectively held hostage until you pay.
It's most common with long-distance moves booked through a broker rather than the company that actually shows up. Protect yourself by confirming who is physically doing the move, not just who you booked with, and by getting a written not-to-exceed estimate before anything gets loaded.
No written estimate
A legitimate mover gives you a written estimate, not just a number over the phone or a text message. The estimate should show the rate, the minimum hours, and what counts as an extra charge.
If a company won't put its numbers in writing, or the written estimate is vague about what's included, that's a reason to keep looking.
Cash-only deposits
Be cautious of any mover that demands a large deposit in cash before the move, with no invoice or receipt. A cash-only policy with no paper trail makes it hard to dispute a charge or prove what you agreed to.
A real business can take a card or e-transfer and will give you something in writing either way.
No verifiable business address
Search the company's address before you book. A PO box, a residential address, or no address listed anywhere is a red flag. It means there's no physical location to hold anyone accountable if something goes wrong.
MD Moving operates out of a real office at 10330 Yonge St, Unit 1, Richmond Hill, not a call centre dispatching subcontractors. You can look it up before you ever give up a phone number.
A quote with no questions asked
A real estimate takes some information: roughly how much you're moving, whether there are stairs or an elevator, and whether anything unusually heavy needs special handling. If a company gives you a firm price sight-unseen with no questions at all, that number is usually just bait. It tends to grow once the truck is loaded.
MD Moving publishes its hourly model instead: $165 per hour, a 2 mover crew, and a 3 hour minimum, with the only added charge being heavy items over 250 lbs, confirmed before booking. You can see the structure before you ever talk to anyone.
Good to know
What is a hostage-load moving scam?
A crew loads your belongings onto the truck, then refuses to unload them until you pay a much higher price, usually in cash. It's most common with long-distance moves booked through a broker.
How can I check if a moving company is legitimate?
Look for a real, verifiable business address, a written estimate with actual numbers, and a willingness to answer questions about your move before quoting a price.
Should I pay a full deposit in cash before the move?
Be cautious. A large cash-only deposit with no invoice or receipt makes it hard to dispute anything later. A legitimate mover can take a card or e-transfer and gives you something in writing.
Why do some movers quote a price without seeing my stuff first?
A sight-unseen quote with no questions asked isn't based on anything real. It's designed to get you booked, and the price often grows once your things are already on the truck.
Ready to book your move?
MD Moving publishes its hourly rate from a real Richmond Hill address, not a call centre. Get an instant quote and see the number before you give up your phone number.