At President Movers, we have moved homes and businesses across British Columbia for over a decade, from our offices in Vancouver and Burnaby. We are proud to hold a 4.9 out of 5 Google Reviews rating, and we believe trust is earned through clear pricing, open communication and careful handling. In this guide, we explain the 10 red flags of moving company scams in BC, simple ways to check that a mover is real and what to do if a mover adds surprise charges or holds your belongings.
Many moving companies are honest, but rogue movers do exist. The federal Competition Bureau has warned about “rogue movers” and how they work. A rogue mover posts a cheap ad on a site like Kijiji or Craigslist, makes the deal over the phone and then shows up on moving day with a different contract and extra charges.
In some cases, the mover keeps the customer’s belongings until the customer pays more. It is a classic bait-and-switch, and each step has warning signs you can spot before you book.
10 Red Flags of a Moving Company Scam in BC
1. The Quote Is Far Too Low, and No One Saw Your Things
A lowball moving estimate is a common hook. Consumer Protection BC warns that a dishonest mover may give a false estimate to win your business, then raise the price sharply on moving day. An honest mover asks plenty of questions before giving a price, such as how many rooms you have and what is in them.
The mover should see every item that needs to move before giving you a price. It is also smart to get estimates from at least three movers, so you can compare them.
Be careful if a company gives you a firm price in a short phone call and never asks about:
- Large furniture and appliances
- Stairs, elevators and parking at both homes
- Packing help
- Heavy items such as a piano, safe or treadmill
At President Movers, we offer in-home and video estimates, so we can plan for what you actually own.
Our tip: Compare what each quote includes, not just the final number. If one price is much lower, find out what it leaves out. Our cost breakdown of what is included in full-service moving can help you compare quotes side by side.
2. Everything Is Verbal, and the Paperwork Can “Wait Until Moving Day”
Rogue movers often claim a phone agreement is enough and that you can sign the paperwork on moving day. When the crew arrives, the contract is different from what you agreed to.
Always get the quote in writing before you book. Ask for it on company letterhead, signed by someone from the company. A written moving estimate should show:
- The company’s name, address and phone number
- Pickup and delivery addresses
- Moving date and arrival time
- Crew size and truck size
- Hourly rate or flat price
- What the price includes and what costs extra
- Deposit and payment terms
- Cancellation and rescheduling rules
- How the company handles loss or damage
Also ask what could change the price. Our terms of service list the reasons a final price can change, such as items that were not on the list, extra stops or a change in the job. We tell you about any price change before we go ahead.
Our tip: If anything changes after you book, get the change in writing by email or text.
3. They Want a Big Deposit, Full Payment Up Front or Cash Only
Legitimate movers usually take payment at delivery, or ask for a small deposit and collect the rest at delivery. If a mover asks for a large deposit, or for the full amount up front, treat it as a red flag.
Other payment red flags include:
- Cash only, with no proper receipt
- Payment to a personal account instead of a business account
- Pressure to pay today to “hold” your date
Avoid paying in cash. If you pay by credit card and something goes wrong, you may be able to ask your card company for a chargeback.
At President Movers, payment is due when your move is complete, unless we agree on something different in writing. We accept cards, e-transfer and cash.
Our tip: Before you pay any deposit, ask whether you get it back or lose it if you cancel, and get the answer in writing.
4. There Is No Real Address, and the Phone Greeting Has No Company Name
A mover with no physical address is hard to find if something goes wrong. Choose a company with a real local office, so you know where to reach it if a problem comes up.
The phone greeting is another clue. A real business answers with its name. If the voicemail is generic and never says the company name, the business may be hiding from a bad past.
A few quick checks:
- Look up the address on a map. Is it a real business location?
- Call the number. Does the person or the voicemail say the company name?
- Search the business name in OrgBook BC, the BC government’s public directory of registered organizations.
- Make sure the name on the quote matches the name on the website and the Google listing.
Our offices are at 5535 Hastings St #105 in Burnaby and 833 Seymour St in Vancouver. You can also learn more about President Movers and how we work.
5. They Cannot Prove Insurance or WorkSafeBC Coverage
Any company can say it is “fully insured.” A trustworthy one can show proof. Ask for two things.
Proof of insurance – The Government of Canada suggests asking for a copy of the mover’s certificate of insurance. This insurance does not cover your goods unless you buy replacement value protection from the mover. Without that protection, the mover’s liability is usually based on weight, not value, so a light but costly item, such as a laptop, can be worth far more than its basic payout. Ask what coverage applies to your things and whether you can buy more.
WorkSafeBC coverage – Make sure the mover and any subcontractors have workers’ compensation coverage. In BC, you can check this yourself. WorkSafeBC’s clearance letter search lets you look up a registered business by its legal or trade name and see its status.
We are fully licensed and insured. Our coverage includes damage to floors, walls, and elevators during the move, and you can purchase additional valuation coverage before moving day.
6. The Company Name Is New, Keeps Changing or the Reviews Do Not Add Up
Some movers with bad reputations change their names to leave bad reviews behind. If a quick online search finds very little about a mover, the business may have changed its name recently. A new name is not proof of a scam, but it is a good reason to look closer.
When you read reviews, look for:
- Reviews spread over months or years, not posted all at once
- Real details, such as the type of move, the building or the crew
- How the company replies to complaints
- What comes up when you search the company name with words like “scam,” “complaint,” or “hidden fees”
We hold ourselves to the same test. Before you book, we encourage you to read our Google reviews, compare our estimate with others and ask us any questions you have.
7. “Everything Is Included,” but No One Will List the Fees
Rogue movers often promise “no surprise fees” or say “everything is included,” then add charges such as warehousing and pickup fees at your door.
Some extra costs are real and fair. What matters is that the mover explains them before you book. In Metro Vancouver, these things often affect the price of a move:
- Stairs and long walks from the door to the truck
- Elevator time windows in condo towers
- Parking far from the entrance
- Extra stops
- Packing materials
- Heavy specialty items
- Travel time
Ask each mover how it charges for each of these. For example, some movers bill for travel time from their yard. At President Movers, we do not charge for travel time from our office to your first location, or from your last location back to our office. Read more in our post on whether moving companies charge for travel time.
If you live in a condo or apartment, our apartment and condo movers know high-rise buildings, elevator bookings, tight hallways and strata bylaws. Tell us about your building when you request a quote, so we can plan accordingly.
8. You Cannot Tell If You Are Hiring a Mover or a Broker
A moving broker books your move and then hands the job to another company. Subcontracting is a major source of moving complaints, and many brokers do not take responsibility for lost or broken items.
Before you book, ask:
- Will your own crew and truck do my move?
- Will any part of the job go to another company?
- Whose name will be on the contract and the invoice?
- Who do I call if there is a problem on the road?
On moving day, the crew and truck should match the company you booked. If an unmarked truck arrives, confirm who the crew works for before anything is loaded.
At President Movers, we use our own crews and trucks. For long-distance moves within BC, your belongings travel on a dedicated truck with a single crew, and we never combine them with another customer’s load.
9. A New Contract Shows Up at Your Door, and You Are Pushed to Sign
The rogue mover scam depends on this moment. The crew arrives with a very different contract, adds new charges and pushes you to sign or be left without a mover.
You may hear lines like these:
- “The phone price was only an estimate.”
- “Sign now, or we leave.”
- “It’s just a receipt.”
Protect yourself with a few simple rules:
- Read every page before you sign, even if they call it a receipt.
- Never sign a form with blank spaces.
- Compare the form with your written quote.
- If the price has changed, ask why and get the reason in writing before loading starts.
A price can change for honest reasons, such as finding more items than you listed. The difference is that an honest mover explains the change before the work starts and waits for your approval.
Moving on short notice? Pressure is easier to resist when you have a plan. Our guide to last-minute moving covers what to do when you need to move fast.
10. They Hold Your Belongings Until You Pay More
This is known as a hostage load. The mover refuses to deliver your belongings until you pay an extra amount.
If this happens to you:
- Stay calm and do not get into a physical fight.
- Call your local police. Call 911 if anyone is in danger.
- Write down the truck’s licence plate, the crew members’ names and the time.
- Take photos and keep every message.
Then follow the reporting steps further down this page. The best protection, though, starts well before moving day.
How to Check If a Moving Company in BC Is Real
Before you book, run through this checklist:
- Search the business in OrgBook BC.
- Check its WorkSafeBC clearance status.
- Call the phone number and listen for the company name.
- Look up the address on a map.
- Read reviews, and search the name with “complaint” or “scam.”
- Get at least three written quotes, each based on an in-home or video walkthrough.
- Ask for a certificate of insurance and the coverage terms for your belongings.
- Confirm who will do the move: the company’s own crew or a subcontractor.
For more help, see our list of questions to ask before hiring movers and our guide to choosing a moving company in Vancouver. Booking early also gives you time for these checks, so read how far in advance you should book movers.
How to Protect Your Belongings Before and After the Move
- Make an inventory – List your furniture and boxes room by room, and give a copy to the mover.
- Take photos – Photograph valuable items and any scratches or dents that are already there.
- Keep valuables with you – Carry your phone, wallet, jewellery, ID, medication and important papers yourself.
- Keep your paperwork handy – Do not pack the only copy of your quote or contract.
- Check everything at delivery – Tick off each item as it comes off the truck, and note any damage before you sign.
- Report damage quickly – Damage claims often must be made within 30 days for a local move and 60 days for a long-distance move. Your mover’s own deadline may be shorter, so check your agreement and report any damage as soon as you can.
If fragile items worry you, our packing and unpacking service can handle them for you.
What to Do If a Moving Company Scams You in BC
- Contact the police – If a mover holds your belongings or threatens you, call your local police. In an emergency, call 911.
- Gather proof – Save the ad, the quote, texts, emails, receipts and photos.
- Write to the company – Explain the problem and what you want, such as delivery or a refund. Keep a copy.
- Call your card company – If you paid by credit card, ask whether a chargeback is possible.
- Report the fraud – Tell the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. You can also report a rogue mover to the Competition Bureau.
- Contact Consumer Protection BC – If you are not sure where to turn, it may be able to answer your questions, refer you to the right organization or point you to court or legal help. If your issue falls under the BC laws it enforces, you can also start a complaint.
Move With a BC Mover: You Can Check
We wrote this guide around the same checks we invite every customer to run on us. Our offices are real, our rating is public, and every quote we give is in writing. Whether you need residential movers for a condo near Metrotown or commercial movers for a downtown office, our team takes calls seven days a week.
Get a free moving quote or call us at 604-900-5433.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do moving companies need a licence in BC?
There is no single provincial licence that proves a household mover is honest. Instead, check the company’s business registration, municipal business licence, WorkSafeBC status, certificate of insurance and reviews. Together, these give you a much clearer picture than any one claim on a website.
Is a cheap moving quote always a scam?
No, some movers keep prices low through good planning and the right crew size. The concern is a price that is far below other quotes with no clear reason, especially when no one has seen your items. Ask the company to explain exactly what the price covers.
Is it safe to hire movers from Kijiji or Craigslist?
Some honest movers advertise on classified sites. However, rogue movers also find many of their victims through these ads. If you find a mover this way, run every check in this guide before you pay anything.
What is the difference between an hourly estimate and a flat-rate quote?
An hourly estimate is based on how long the move should take, so the final bill depends on the actual hours worked. A flat-rate quote is a set price for a clearly defined job. Either one can be fair, as long as it is in writing and explains what could change the price.
Does my home or tenant insurance cover my things during a move?
It might, your household insurance and the mover’s insurance may work together to cover you if something is lost or damaged. Call your insurance provider before moving day and ask what is covered while your belongings are in transit or in storage.
Can I cancel if I notice red flags after booking?
Yes, you can ask to cancel. Whether you get your deposit back depends on your written agreement, so read the cancellation terms first and send your request in writing. If the mover misled you, get consumer or legal advice. Even if you lose a small deposit, walking away is often safer than risking your belongings.