How to Verify a Moving Company: Checking USDOT & MC Numbers

Let me tell you a quick, cautionary tale. A friend of a friend (we’ll call him Mark) was moving from Tennessee to Florida. He found a company on Craigslist that gave him an unbelievably low quote over the phone. No in-home estimate, no detailed inventory. He was thrilled.

Until moving day.

The crew loaded all his belongings onto the truck. Then, the foreman handed him a new bill – one that was three times the original quote. When Mark refused to pay, the foreman just shrugged, locked the truck, and said, “Fine. We’ll just keep your stuff in storage. Call the number on the paper when you have the money.”

Mark had just become a victim of a “hostage goods” scam. His furniture, his clothes, his family photos – all held for ransom. When he tried to report the company, he discovered the address they gave was a vacant lot and the company name was fake. He had no recourse. He eventually paid, emptying his savings, just to get his life back.

I hear stories like this every week. A “moving company scammed me” report is one of the most common complaints filed in the transportation industry.

This is exactly why verification isn’t just a “good idea.” It’s essential. When you hire a mover, you’re not just buying a service; you’re handing over your entire physical life to a stranger. You’re trusting them with your grandfather’s clock, your kids’ baby albums, and the bed you sleep in.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) created a system of registration and licensing precisely to prevent these kinds of predatory practices.

These regulations are the only things that separate a legitimate, professional moving company from two guys with a rented truck and a burner phone.

Checking these credentials is your first and best line of defense. It tells you:

• They are a real, registered business.
• They have the required level of insurance.
• They are legally authorized by the U.S. government to transport household goods.
• They have a safety record you can actually look up.

Skipping this step is like buying a house without an inspection. You might get lucky, but you’re also taking a massive, unnecessary risk.

Okay, so what are these “magic numbers” I keep talking about? It sounds like a lot of government-speak, but I promise it’s simple. My background is in logistics, so let me break it down in a way that makes sense.

This is the easy part. It takes less than five minutes. Seriously. I’ve timed it. My sister Megan can do it from her phone while wrangling her kids, and so can you.

Here is your step-by-step guide.

Now that you know how to check, let’s talk about the giant, waving red flags that should make you run for the hills. As someone who’s seen the dark side of this industry, these are the things that make my skin crawl. This is how you spot moving company fraud before it happens.

Your gut is a powerful tool. If you do the SAFER check and something just doesn’t add up, trust that feeling. There are thousands of other movers out there.

Look, I know what you’re thinking. “Jason, this sounds like a lot of work. I’m already stressed just thinking about packing.”

You’re right. It is one more thing to add to your massive to-do list.

And that, honestly, is why we built National Movers. Our whole purpose is to do this homework for you.

When I was helping my sister Megan find movers for her last relocation, she was overwhelmed. She was trying to find a new school for her oldest, pack up a 4-bedroom house, and run her photography business. She didn’t have time to play detective, cross-referencing USDOT numbers and insurance filings.

I realized that most people are in the same boat. You just want to how to find a reputable moving company quickly and get on with your life.

Here’s the thing: Our directory isn’t just a random list of companies. Every single mover on our platform has already gone through a rigorous verification process.

• We check the USDOT and MC numbers. We don’t just check them once; we monitor them. If a company’s status changes to “Not Authorized,” they’re off our list.
• We verify their insurance. We make sure they have active, correct insurance policies for both cargo and liability.
• We look at their state-level licensing. For local, intrastate moves, we check with the state-level (not federal) authorities to ensure they’re compliant.
• We review their history and reputation. We look at their safety ratings, read customer reviews, and check their standing with the Better Business Bureau.

We filter out the scammers, the fakes, and the “Not Authorized” operators before they ever get to you.

When you get a quote through National Movers, you’re not just getting a price. You’re getting peace of mind. You’re getting a shortlist of pre-vetted, insured, and licensed professionals who have passed the test.

We built this platform to be the resource I wished my sister had. It’s the safe, simple way to connect with movers you can actually trust.

The whole point of this guide is to empower you. Whether you use our system or do the research yourself, you now have the knowledge to protect your move.

If you’d like to skip the hassle and see a list of movers who have already passed this “background check,” that’s what we’re here for.

Just enter your zip code on our site, and we’ll connect you with licensed, insured, and reputable moving companies in your area. No guesswork, no scams. Just good movers, ready to help.