Search results
Apr 19, 2024 · There are several versions of moving scams reported to BBB every year, including: No show: Consumers receive a quote and pay a deposit, but the movers never show up. Upcharge: Consumers are...
- 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.
- Do Your Research and Choose A Reputable Mover
- Watch Out For Unrealistic Estimates
- Be Aware of Hostage Scams
- Understand The Red Flags of A Moving Scam
- Be Cautious When Using Third-Party Brokers
- Report Moving Scams Immediately
- Stay Organized During Your Move
The foundation of a successful move starts with hiring a reputable moving company. Scam movers often pop up with fake websites, lowball estimates, or limited online presence to lure in unsuspecting customers. To avoid falling into their trap, follow these steps:
One common tactic scammers use is to offer an incredibly low estimate to secure your business, only to increase the price significantly once your belongings are loaded onto the truck. Here’s how to avoid being trapped by an unrealistic estimate:
In a hostage scam, movers pack up your belongings and then refuse to deliver them until you pay a much higher fee than originally agreed upon. This is not only unethical but illegal. Here’s how to avoid such scams:
Spotting early warning signs can help you steer clear of fraudulent movers. Be on the lookout for these red flags:
While some legitimate moving brokers can help connect you with moving companies, fraudulent brokers may charge you extra fees without offering any real services or connecting you to unreliable movers. If you choose to work with a broker, ensure they are registered with the FMCSA, and verify the moving company they assign you to before agreeing to a...
If you believe you’ve fallen victim to a moving scam, take action right away. Reporting fraudulent activity can help recover your losses and prevent others from being scammed. Here’s what to do:
Organization is key to a smooth move. Keeping detailed records of contracts, receipts, and communication with your moving company can help you avoid misunderstandings and protect yourself if disputes arise. Make sure you:
- Name changes. One of the easiest ways to tell if a mover has a murky past is if it has a habit of changing its name frequently. Sometimes legitimate moving companies do change their van line affiliations and names.
- Fly-by-night, online moving brokers. There’s a distinction to be made between movers and moving brokers. Movers own trucks, and brokers don’t. Moving companies also need warehouses, storage facilities, and trained employees to pack and move your items with packing materials.
- Lack of attention to detail. After you’ve compiled a list of possible movers, you’ll want to give them a call. If you’ve landed on their website and can’t find a phone number, you may want to move on.
- Unexpected costs at the end of your move. It’s legal for movers to charge customers for some services that weren’t included in the original estimate. Additional charges may be added for last-minute services like container storage in a storage facility and truck inaccessibility issues requiring a shuttle.
- Tatyana Meshcheryakova
- 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.
- The cursory glance. An “estimator” who does a quick walk-through of your home without opening cabinets and taking note of exactly what you plan to move is going to be way off the mark.
- The “required” deposit. Reputable movers will NOT demand cash or any large deposit before moving you. You generally pay upon delivery. If you pay upfront, you have zero control over when you’ll see your belongings again.
- The name change. Some companies get around the Better Business Bureau and other such scam busters by constantly doing business under new names. Be sure the company has a local address and information about licensing and insurance.
Jul 23, 2024 · These scam companies invest heavily in ranking high in search results, fake Google reviews, a dozen different company names, and professional-looking digital footprints to seem real, even to tech-savvy consumers.
People also ask
Are moving scams a real thing?
Are movers a scam?
Are moving scams still alive?
Are Independent Mover review sites a scam?
What are the most common moving scams?
How do moving scams work?
Jun 30, 2020 · 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 ...
