Safety March 25, 2026 5 min read

How Much Deposit Should a Moving Company Ask For? (Red Flags to Know)

What a normal moving deposit looks like, what is legal, and the deposit red flags that signal a moving scam before you lose your money.

Deposits are where most moving scams begin. Knowing what is normal — and what is not — protects your money before a single box is loaded.

What Is a Normal Deposit?

Reputable long distance movers typically ask for 10% to 25% of the total estimate to reserve your date. Some excellent carriers ask for no deposit at all and collect on delivery.

Anything approaching 50% or more upfront is a serious red flag. There is no legitimate reason a mover needs half your money before touching your belongings.

Deposit Red Flags

Large cash, wire transfer, Zelle, Venmo, or crypto demands. Legitimate movers accept credit cards. Untraceable payment is the scammer’s favorite tool — and you have no chargeback rights.
Pressure to pay immediately to “lock in a rate that expires today.”
A deposit before you have a written estimate. Never.
No USDOT number, or a number that does not check out at fmcsa.dot.gov.
A quote far below every other bid. Lowball quotes are how hostage-load scams start.
No physical address or an unmarked rental truck on arrival.

Always Pay by Credit Card

Paying your deposit with a credit card gives you dispute rights if the mover disappears or holds your belongings hostage. Cash, wire, and payment apps do not. This one habit prevents most catastrophic losses.

Before You Pay Anything

Verify the USDOT and MC numbers at fmcsa.dot.gov. Confirm the license is active.
Get a written binding or not-to-exceed estimate. Not a phone number scribbled on a form.
Read the deposit and cancellation policy in writing. What happens if you cancel? If they are late?
Check reviews across multiple sites and look for patterns in complaints, not just the star rating.
Confirm the company name matches the licensed entity. Scam operators rebrand constantly to shed bad reviews.

The Safest Path

Work only with FMCSA-licensed carriers who provide binding estimates. Every mover in the MyMovingQuotes network is license-verified before they ever see your information.

For maximum protection, get an on-site walk-through: a licensed mover comes to your home, documents your belongings, and issues a guaranteed binding contract — so there is no room for a surprise bill later.