Where you complain depends on the move. Report an interstate mover or broker to FMCSA, an in-state mover to your state regulator or attorney general, and fraud of either kind to the Federal Trade Commission. To get money back for lost or damaged goods, file a claim with the mover itself.
| Problem | File with |
|---|---|
| Interstate mover or broker broke the rules | FMCSA Complaint Center, or 1-888-368-7238 (1-888-DOT-SAFT) |
| In-state mover | The state agency on your state page, or your state attorney general |
| A scam, by any mover | ReportFraud.ftc.gov, plus the federal or state office above |
| Lost or damaged goods | A written claim to the mover, then arbitration or court |
Interstate moves: the FMCSA Complaint Center
File online at the FMCSA Complaint Center. The older address, nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov, opens the same center. You can also call 1-888-368-7238 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday; non-English speakers can get help through the same line (FMCSA).
FMCSA asks you to have these ready (FMCSA):
- your name, address and phone number;
- the name, address and phone number of the mover, broker or auto transporter;
- the origin and destination of the shipment;
- the company's USDOT and MC numbers, if you have them;
- details of what the company did wrong;
- your estimate, bill of lading and inventory pages, which you can upload with the complaint.
Know what a complaint does. FMCSA has no authority to resolve claims against a moving company (FMCSA). It keeps your complaint in the company's file and uses complaints, with other data, to decide which companies to investigate. If it takes enforcement action, it may contact you for more information (FMCSA).
In-state moves: the state
For a move inside one state, the FTC says to contact your state enforcement agency (FTC). Your state page lists the complaint offices we could confirm. FMCSA also keeps a state-by-state list of enforcement contacts, and USAGov lists every state attorney general.
Scams: the FTC
The FTC asks people who see a scam to report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (FTC). The FTC says it cannot resolve individual reports, but shares them with law enforcement partners and uses them in investigations (ReportFraud.ftc.gov).
Getting money back
- Claim with the mover. On an interstate move, file a written claim within nine months of delivery (FMCSA). The liability guide covers what to include and the mover's deadlines.
- Arbitration. Interstate movers must offer arbitration for loss and damage disputes and for disputes over charges billed after delivery. The mover must agree to it if your claim is $10,000 or less (FMCSA; 49 CFR 375.211).
- Court. To sue an interstate mover in your state, serve the papers on the mover's process agent there. FMCSA explains how to look up the agent by USDOT or MC number, starting from its process agent page (FMCSA).
Sources
- FMCSA Complaint Center , Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- File a Moving Fraud Complaint , Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- What if there are problems? , Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- What Should You Do if You Have a Dispute with Your Mover? , Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Designation of Agents for Service of Process , Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- 49 CFR 375.211, arbitration program , Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- State-Level Enforcement Resources , Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- State attorneys general , USAGov
- Avoid scams when you hire a moving company , Federal Trade Commission
- ReportFraud.ftc.gov , Federal Trade Commission