Avoid moving scams: fake websites, payment tricks and where to report
Short answer
Find the mover's website and number yourself rather than trusting a search ad or a map listing, and never enter your UPI PIN to "receive" money. If you are defrauded online, call 1930 or report it on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal as soon as you can, because quick reports help banks hold the money.
What do official fraud warnings say?
These warnings from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the RBI are general, not about movers in particular, but they match how moving bookings are made online.
| Warning | Source |
|---|---|
| Fake websites and paid search ads take payment, then the service never arrives and the numbers stop working | I4C alert via PIB, April 2025 |
| Fraudsters plant fake customer-care numbers on search engines, Google Maps and social media | I4C advisory, March 2022 |
| QR codes for payment can be tampered with | I4C advisory, April 2022 |
| A “collect request” that asks for your UPI PIN to receive money is a fraud: receiving money never needs a PIN | RBI press release, January 2022 |
| Never share an OTP or UPI PIN, and do not trust contact numbers from search results | RBI press release, January 2022 |
How do I protect myself when booking a mover?
- Get the mover’s website and number from a source you trust, not from a sponsored result.
- Check the GST number and look for consumer cases before paying an advance.
- Get a written quote, and a goods receipt at loading.
- Pay to an account in the company’s name, and never enter a UPI PIN to receive a refund.
Where do I report a fraud?
| Problem | Where |
|---|---|
| Money lost to an online fraud | Call 1930 or report at cybercrime.gov.in |
| A suspicious website | The “Report Suspect” option on cybercrime.gov.in |
| A dispute with a mover over service | National Consumer Helpline: 1915, or WhatsApp 8800001915 |
I4C says 1930 is linked to banks, payment companies and wallets, which is why reporting quickly matters. Complaints on the portal go to the state police.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know a mover's website is genuine?
Reach it from a source you trust rather than a sponsored search result, check that the GST number on the site belongs to the same business on the GST portal, and search the legal name on e-Jagriti for consumer cases.
Someone sent me a UPI request to receive my refund. Is that safe?
No. The RBI warns that fraudsters send collect requests asking you to enter your UPI PIN to receive money. Receiving money never needs your PIN.
I paid an advance and the mover stopped answering. What now?
Call 1930 or report it on cybercrime.gov.in straight away. I4C says 1930 is linked to banks and wallets, so a quick report gives the best chance of the money being held.
Where do I complain about poor service by a real mover?
Start with the National Consumer Helpline on 1915 or WhatsApp 8800001915. If it is not resolved, you can go to a consumer commission through e-Jagriti.
Sources
- PIB: I4C alert on fake websites, April 2025
- I4C: fake customer care numbers advisory (PDF)
- I4C: tampered QR codes advisory (PDF)
- RBI: press release 2021-2022/1630 on frauds
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
- I4C: National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and 1930
- PIB: Report Suspect on the cybercrime portal, July 2024
- National Consumer Helpline
- GST portal: search taxpayer
- e-Jagriti (Department of Consumer Affairs)