Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Dec, 26 2025
Steps to take If Your Belongings Are Stolen by Movers
Most hauling companies offer additional services that allow you to customize your move, including packing and unpacking, piano moving, storage, and more. These services are typically an extra charge to the base moving rate. One of the most common scams in the moving industry is when the company does not disclose these additional fees and holds your belongings “hostage” until you pay up.
Although you may have agreed to a contract for a specified amount, the mover will demand hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars from you before they release your items to your possession. Each year, thousands of complaints are logged against shifting companies for this exact tactic. If this unfortunate scenario has happened to you, here are the steps that you should take:
1. Start with Hauling company
Your first step should be to file a complaint with the company that is handling your belongings. While this likely isn’t going to fix the problem, you’ll at least have written evidence of your complaint. This also displays that you’ve made a conscious effort to retrieve your items before you plan to take additional legal measures.
2. Review Federal Law
According to federal law in the United States, interstate movers are required to release your belongings to you when you’ve paid 100 per cent of a binding estimate or 110 per cent of a non-binding estimate. Although weight and additional services may have raised the final cost, this does not give the movers justification to hold your items hostage.
3. Contact the Authorities
According to the Better Business Bureau, if a “moving company fails to live up to its promises and threatens to hold your belongings hostage,” you should contact your local law enforcement officials. Although, police cannot intervene unless local or state laws have been broken. They may not be able to help you with a civil matter, but they will take action when local or state regulations are met.
4. Reach Out the Relevant Government Regulators
For local or in-state relocations, contact whatever state agency is in charge of regulating moving companies. Or, you can reach out to your state’s consumer protection department. For interstate moves, you should reach out to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
With interstate moves, the FMCSA can issue a fine to the moving company of up to $10,000 per day for holding your items hostage. In fact, the FMCSA has been known to shut down repeat offenders that engage in “hostage” activity.
5. Notify the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
The Better Business Bureau keeps track of complaints against both interstate and local movers. Although the BBB may not be able to physically resolve your issue, your complaint will prevent others from ending up in the same position. A negative review on their record may be enough for some shifting companies to give in and release your belongings. Though you should also be prepared to receive the opposite response – some “shady” movers could engage in an “eye for an eye” tactic by writing poor reviews about you online or even making harassing phone calls to members of your inner circle.
6. Speak with your Insurance Firm
When a moving company steals your stuff or holds it, hostage, your insurance company may be able to issue you financial compensation. However, this will depend on the level of coverage that you have. Make sure to take a thorough look at your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy to see what you could qualify for. You can also preemptively purchase coverage from a variety of agencies to help you in these exact situations.
7. Sue for Breach of Contract
Provided that you have physical proof of payment and a written contract, you may be able to sue the moving company to return your belongings. A civil matter like this will require whatever it is that makes you complete again after experiencing a loss. In this case, the court may require the movers to cover your lost income if you were going to another state for a job change.
8. Move Rescue.com
MoveRescue.com is an excellent online resource for those that feel like they may have been scammed by fraudulent movers. Their goal is to stop these disreputable moving companies and provide both resources and representatives for victims. They will communicate directly with the transferring company to try and resolve the issue, send demand letters on your behalf, represent you in a court case, review and/or assist in filing lawsuits, provide general support, and more. For assistance, visit MoveRescue.com or speak with a representative at 888-368-7238.
As many professional movers do this scam, you will need to find good shifting companies. With more than 10 years of experience, Three Movers is one of the best hauling companies. Contact us if you need any help moving from local or interstate to international.
Frequently Asked Questions
Act immediately by documenting all missing items and requesting a written inventory reconciliation. Take photos, gather contracts, bills of lading, and payment records. Notify the moving company in writing within 24 hours and request a formal response timeline. For interstate moves, file a theft complaint and begin the claims process under FMCSA regulations. This step-by-step approach limits delays and preserves your legal rights early.
Yes, you can sue a moving company for theft if evidence shows intentional loss or refusal to return belongings. Small claims court may apply for losses under state limits, while larger claims require civil court. Lawsuits are more effective when supported by inventories, photos, police reports, and written communication. Interstate moves fall under federal rules, while local cases follow state consumer protection laws.
Start by submitting a written loss or damage claim to the mover within 9 months, as required for interstate shipments. Include item descriptions, estimated values, and supporting evidence. Movers must acknowledge claims within 30 days. If the company refuses to cooperate, escalate using the official process outlined in how to file a claim against a moving company.
Holding items hostage is illegal for interstate moves. Movers cannot demand extra payment beyond the binding or non-binding estimate terms. Document all demands, refuse cash-only payments, and report the company immediately. Federal regulations prohibit hostage loads, and enforcement actions can include fines, license suspension, and seizure of operating authority for repeat violations.
Yes, the FMCSA can fine interstate moving companies up to $10,000 per violation for hostage loads or serious misconduct. Penalties increase for repeat offenses and may include license revocation. FMCSA enforcement applies only to interstate moves regulated under federal law, not purely local or intrastate moves handled by state agencies.
Reports most often involve small, high-value items such as jewelry, watches, cash, electronics, documents, and prescription medications. These items are harder to track during packing and unloading. To reduce risk, keep valuables with you and avoid packing them in moving boxes, even during full-service or long-distance moves.
Interstate moves are regulated under federal law, giving consumers specific rights related to estimates, claims, and dispute resolution. Movers must provide written documentation and follow strict billing rules. If theft occurs, federal oversight applies through the interstate moving service framework, which offers clearer enforcement than most local regulations.
