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Scam Protection Methodology: How We Keep Users Safe

By MGM Editorial Team Last updated October 18, 2026

When you look for a mover on My Good Movers, you want to know the companies you see are real. My Good Movers is a free comparison service. We are not a moving company or a moving broker, and we don’t perform, book or arrange moves.

Moving scams are real. Some people lose money, some lose their belongings, and some are left with no help on moving day. This page explains how we check movers, what warning signs we watch for, what we do when we find a problem, and how you can protect yourself.

How We Protect You From Scams

Step 1: We study how scams work

We keep track of how moving scams work: lowball estimates, large deposits, belongings held for more money, and fake company names. Our checks are built around these tricks.

Step 2: We check movers before we list them

Before a mover appears on My Good Movers, we check who it is. If something doesn’t add up, we don’t list it. We confirm:

for interstate movers, an active USDOT number and FMCSA operating authority (MC number), and whether it is registered as a carrier, a broker or both;
for local movers, a state license where the state requires one;
a real address and a working phone number;
a company name that matches public records.

We don’t check the amount or terms of a mover’s insurance. You can see the insurance an interstate mover has on file with FMCSA through the USDOT link on its profile.

Step 3: We keep watching after listing

We recheck federal registration regularly, and we watch for signs of trouble, such as:

contact details that change without reason;
many complaints in a short time;
a sudden burst of reviews;
reports from users about deposits, estimates or held belongings.

Step 4: We act quickly on serious problems

Your safety comes before a long investigation. When we find a serious problem, we may lower a listing’s visibility, show a warning on the mover’s profile, or pause or remove the listing. Each step is described on our Action We Take page. Paying us never stops us from acting.

Step 5: You can report a mover

Your reports help us find problems early. Use the “Report” button on the mover’s profile or Report a Concern. You can also file a complaint with FMCSA through Protect Your Move and report fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Step 6: We share safety tips

Below, we explain what a real mover does and what warning signs to look for, so you can spot problems early.

Being listed on My Good Movers is not a guarantee of a mover’s prices or work. Always compare written estimates and check the mover yourself.

How We Identify Real Movers

Real movers leave a clear trail: a name, a place of work, a way to reach them and a history with real customers.

Core details. A real address, a working phone number, a company name that matches public records, and the federal or state registration its moves need.
Real activity. We look for signs of genuine work, such as an online presence and a history with customers that make sense for an active business.
Consistent information. The address should fit the service area, the years in business should match public records, and the phone number should lead to the same company name.

If the information is incomplete or doesn’t fit together, we pause and check the mover again before it can be listed.

Warning Signs We Look For

Changing details. If a mover changes its address or phone number two or three times in a short period, or its public records don’t match what it tells us, we look into it.
Missing proof. We ask every mover for its USDOT and MC numbers or state license. If a mover can’t provide them within 48 hours, we treat it as a serious concern.
Sudden activity. A jump from no reviews to many in one day, or several complaints in a short time, triggers a closer look. We may pause the listing while we check.
Large deposits. We treat a request for more than 20% of the price upfront as a warning sign. This is our own guideline, not a legal limit. FMCSA lists a large deposit before the move as a red flag.
Pressure and vague answers. A mover that avoids questions, gives unclear answers or pushes you to decide fast is a red flag.

How We Alert You

Profile warnings. When a mover breaks our rules in a serious way, we may show a warning on its profile. See what each warning means on our Action We Take page.
Up-to-date profiles. If a mover’s registration becomes inactive, we pause or remove its listing. When a mover fixes an issue, we update its profile.

Tips to Protect Yourself From Moving Scams

Get a written estimate. It shows what you are paying for and what the mover is responsible for. Compare estimates from more than one company.
Keep deposits low. Be careful if a mover asks for a large payment before any work begins.
Check the mover’s registration. For an interstate move, look up its USDOT number on FMCSA’s SAFER system and check whether it is a carrier or a broker.
Get your rights booklet. For an interstate move, the mover must give you FMCSA’s “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.”
Check the crew on arrival. A real mover arrives with proper equipment and paperwork, including a bill of lading.
Keep records. Save messages, estimates and receipts. They protect you if something goes wrong and help us act on your report.
Know your rights. FMCSA explains your rights and how to spot red flags at Protect Your Move.

See something wrong?

Tell us about a fake review, a possible scam, wrong information or an ad without an “Ad” label.

Report a Concern