BBB Warns of Moving Scams
May marks the beginning of summer and the busiest time for moving. Unfortunately, more people moving means more potential for scams.
The Better Business Bureau advises you to always do your homework when hiring a moving company and look out for these warning signs.
Most moving scams take one of these three approaches:
Consumers receive a quote and pay a deposit. But the “movers” never show up.
The moving company provides a quote based on expected weight and, after loading the truck, they inform you that the load is over the expected weight and you must pay an additional fee.
Most of the time, the fee is significantly more expensive, sometimes as much as double the original estimate.
The most disruptive and difficult to anticipate moving scam is when everything appears to be going well.
The movers provide an estimate, arrive on time and load your belongings on a truck.
However, this is where the interaction turns disastrous. When the truck fails to arrive at its destination, either your belongings are simply gone or the company requires you to pay an additional fee to have them delivered, holding the possessions hostage.
Protect yourself from this scam:
When reviewing a company’s website, if there is no address or information about a mover’s registration or insurance, it is a red flag.
Be wary of unusual requests. If a mover asks for a large down payment or full payment in advance, that may be an indication of a fraudulent business.
Get everything in writing. An identification number, issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is required of all interstate moving companies. This number can be verified here. Make sure to carefully read the terms and conditions of the contract, as well as the limits of liability and any disclaimers. The pickup and expected delivery date should be easily identified.
Keep an inventory of your belongings.
For More Information
Read the full BBB alert for more moving tips. To access BBB’s 2020 report of moving scams, visit BBB.org/MoverScams.