The Better Moves Project
The Better Moves Project is United Safe Van Lines’ ongoing initiative to improve the standards, transparency, and consumer protection in the American moving industry. Moving scams, inflated quotes, and poor service have been persistent problems in this industry for decades. The Better Moves Project addresses those problems through data collection, industry advocacy, and direct consumer education.
What the Better Moves Project does
- Tracks complaint data — we monitor FMCSA complaint records, BBB filings, and customer reviews to identify patterns of bad practice and remove non-compliant carriers from our network.
- Publishes consumer guides — our research team produces practical guides on identifying scam movers, understanding your rights under federal law, and knowing the right questions to ask before signing any moving contract.
- Advocates for stronger standards — we work with industry stakeholders to support better licensing enforcement, clearer binding estimate requirements, and stronger consumer recourse for damaged or missing shipments.
- Educates consumers before they move — our pre-move checklist, red flag guide, and consumer rights summary are available free to every moving customer on this site.
Why this matters
The FMCSA receives tens of thousands of moving fraud complaints every year. Most involve companies that provided a low estimate and then demanded two to three times that amount on delivery, holding the shipment until payment was made. These practices are illegal — but enforcement resources are limited and victims often have limited practical recourse. The Better Moves Project exists because we believe the industry can do better, and because protecting customers from these situations is central to what USVL does.