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1 day ago · Spot moving scams by reviewing a mover’s online presence, checking licensure and reading reviews. Never sign a moving contract or pay a deposit without first receiving an in-home estimate.
Great, efficient service. Pickfords were fantastic from the very beginning, guiding me through a stressful international move smoothly. My move manager Charlotte replied quickly to all my queries and addressed each of them with patience and experience. The movers were incredibly efficient and very friendly.
Nonetheless one quote for a comparison service is practically useless. The recommended company had a 4 out of 5 rating based on 6 anecdotal reviews and sent a text and two emails instantly touting their business and I expect they’ll ring at some point too. Won’t be using that site again.
- It isn’t licensed through the FMCSA. Did you know there is a federal agency that tracks and regulates the trucking industry? It’s called the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and it keeps tabs on the moving industry because moving companies use trucks.
- It charges customers more money than they agreed to. If most customers report that a moving company charged them far more money than they agreed to, it could mean the company is a scam.
- It claims to charge by cubic foot. This is actually one of the most common moving scams. Reputable moving companies (especially interstate movers) charge you based on the weight of your shipment, not how many cubic feet of space it would take up in a moving truck.
- It asks you to pay or sign a moving contract before it does an in-home estimate. Real moving companies won’t ask you to sign anything or pay them a dime until they do an in-home estimate to accurately assess how much your shipment will weigh.
- Introduction
- How Big Is The Moving Industry Problem?
- Understanding The Moving Industry
- How Legitimate Movers Operate
- Anatomy of A Moving Scam
- How Can You Avoid Crooked Movers?
- Who and Where Are The Crooked Movers?
- Resources Available For Victims of Moving Fraud
- How Problems with Rogue Operators Are Being Addressed
- Recommendations
Last year, an estimated 4.7 million people left their state to relocate for a job, retirement or other reasons, mostly when temperatures warmed. With increased competition and new practices due to the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, the industry has issued guidance for consumers movingduring the pandemic and Better Business Bureau (BBB) is publishing th...
Moving Complaints
The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), regulates interstate and international moves. Of the 4,780 complaints FMCSA received in 2019, 57% involved overcharging. BBB frequently receives feedback from consumers who have had positive experiences or problems with movers. Many people file complaints when they need help, while others post negative reviews to tell others about the service. BBB verifies reviews it receives...
Interstate moving is a more complex operation than most people realize. Consumers may presume a truck arrives with the same workers who will load and then unload the truck at the new destination. That may be true with a local move, but if there are not enough items to fill a moving van, the possessions may pass through many hands. Long-distance mov...
Legitimate moving companies, often with decades of experience, abound in the U.S. and Canada. These movers compete with one another on price, professionalism, and reliability. They also obtain required licensing and often offer packing services to customers. Legitimate movers frequently belong to trade associations that have professional standards ...
There are many scam moving companies and anyone doing an internet search for a move is very likely to encounter one. Moving scammers advertise heavily on the internet, using paid advertising (sponsored links) that bring them to the top of search results. Moving scams may claim to have offices in many cities to suggest that they have a local physica...
Research movers before you hire.
The best way to avoid a bad mover is to do careful research before you hire one. Moving scams work hard to look reliable. As an industry observer noted, this is not like buying a pair of sneakers online. The FMCSA websitelets you enter a mover’s license number to see if many complaints have been received about that company -- a sure sign that you need to dig further. One method to identify a shady mover is to do an internet search using the mover’s name and the word “scam.” If you find report...
Go to BBB.org to find movers you can trust.
In 2019, the public viewed BBB Business Profiles of movers two million times. BBB provides free online reports at bbb.org for most businesses in the U.S. and Canada. Profiles include letter grade ratings and who owns the company, how long it has been operating and how to reach the business. Consumers can read movers’ customer complaints and reviews to look for overcharging and delivery problems. BBB works to filter out fake reviews. BBB Accredited movers agree to adhere to standards for hones...
American Moving and Storage Association and Canadian Association of Movers
Moving professionals’ associations provide free online services that connect consumers with reputable movers. In the U.S., go to American Moving and Storage Association’s Find a ProMover. In Canada, go to the Canadian Association of Movers at Mover.net.
The facts suggest that moving scammers are a large and distinct set of enterprises that are interrelated. According to MoveRescue, moving scammers they deal with mostly use one of three contracts, indicating a connection between various shady movers. Moving scammers change names frequently, making it difficult for consumers to obtain reliable infor...
What if your goods have been loaded and the company refuses to deliver unless you pay more money? Or they aren’t being delivered and no one answers the phone at the company? Or you have a major pro...
MoveRescue: Mayflower and United Van Lines have set up and funded a group that provides free help for moving victims. MoveRescue, (800) 832-1773, provides information to victims who feel they may have been scammed at any point in the moving process. MoveRescue experts have been helping consumers navigate challenging moving situations since 2003. In 2019 alone, they worked with 1221 victims of moving scams. MoveRescue asks victims to provide copies of their moving contracts and will immediatel...
Moving industry regulation:In the U.S., moves within a state are addressed by state laws, except when metro areas cross state lines, as with Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas. U.S. interstate moves, as well as international moves, are addressed by FMCSA. In Canada, all moves are covered by the transportation and consumer protection law...
Given the size of this problem, FMCSA may need more resources and additional enforcement authority.More educational efforts are needed to inform the public about the dangers of moving scams and ways to find a legitimate mover.Additional criminal law enforcement efforts are needed in both the U.S. and Canada.Although the FTC has not traditionally brought cases against movers, its legal authority and experience may fit into this area. They should consider enforcement efforts against crooked operations.Mar 15, 2024 · With the rise of long-distance moves as well as interstate moves, moving company scams seem to be increasing as well. The Better Business Bureau has over 1,300 moving companies with an “F ...
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May 10, 2022 · Here are the top 11 scams along with the red flags to look out for. 1. Phoning it in. A mover who doesn’t insist on an on-site inspection of your household goods is giving you a sight-unseen estimate — and those are usually too good to be true.
