Scammers using AI to make fake moving companies look more convincing

June 20, 2026 - 23:07

Summer is peak moving season, and the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers that scammers are now using artificial intelligence to create highly convincing fake moving companies. These fraudulent businesses are deploying AI-generated content to build websites, write customer reviews, and even produce realistic phone scripts that make them appear trustworthy.

According to the BBB, the scams often start with a lowball quote. A victim searches online for movers, finds a company with a professional website and glowing testimonials, and receives a surprisingly low estimate. The scammer then demands a large deposit, often via wire transfer or a payment app. On moving day, the truck either never arrives, or the movers show up, load the belongings, and then demand thousands more before unloading them.

The BBB notes that AI tools allow scammers to generate fake reviews that are harder to spot than older, poorly written ones. They can also create fake business licenses and insurance documents using AI image generators. To avoid becoming a victim, experts recommend verifying a mover's physical address and license number with state regulators. Consumers should also get at least three in-person estimates and never pay a large deposit upfront. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.