Don’t get cheated by criminals. Tell moving scammers to move away!

How can you tell a reputable moving company from a crooked one, and protect yourself from getting cheated?

Moving can be an exciting time. But it can also be stressful – even when things go according to plan. Unfortunately, scammers are out there with their own plans – to steal your money, your possessions, or both. How can you tell a reputable moving company from a crooked one, and protect yourself from getting cheated?

In this article, we’ll look at five common types of moving scams, red flags to look out for, and ways to stay safe.

5 Common Moving Scams

Here are five types of moving scams to watch out for:

1. Bait-and-Switch Scams
   A bait-and-switch scam can work a couple of different ways. One type of bait-and-switch starts with an enticingly low estimate of the weight of your items that’s done over the phone or by email, often without an on-site inspection to accurately appraise the job. Because the estimate that you agree to is nearly always non-binding, moving costs can go up dramatically if the estimated weight is more than the actual weight of the items you’re moving. In this scam, after the moving crew shows up and loads everything into the truck, the driver tells you the actual weight is higher than the estimate. This discrepancy can end up costing you thousands of dollars more.

   Another type of bait-and-switch is the “lowball” scam, where a shady company deliberately provides a low estimate for the move – with a plan to add lots of extra charges on moving day. These might include extra protection for mirrors and pictures, TV boxes, wardrobe boxes, and even tolls or fuel charges.

2. Hostage Scam
   In a hostage scam, a mover will pack up your possessions, drive to your new location, and then refuse to unlock or unload the truck – until you fork over more money. With everything locked up, you don’t have any leverage over these scammers. Most victims end up paying the scammer so they can get their belongings back. This scam happens more often than you might think. According to the Protect Your Move campaign, 1 in 10 people who moved reported that the moving company held furniture hostage until the customer handed over more cash.

3. Broker Scam
   In a broker scam, a fraudulent middleman quotes and books moving jobs – usually providing a tempting cheap estimate – and charges an upfront fee. The “broker” then sells the leads to an actual moving company. When the movers show up, unaware of the scammer’s initial quote and fee, they’ll demand more money than was originally quoted. Calling the broker to complain is usually an exercise in frustration: Either they can’t be reached, or they say the move is now the responsibility of the moving company. Either way, you’re out of luck.

4. Deposit Scam
   In certain cases, like during peak moving times or in high-volume areas, a moving company might ask for a small deposit to reserve the moving day. Depending on the mover, $100–$500 is considered a reasonable deposit. Unfortunately, some scammers take advantage of this practice by asking for a much larger upfront deposit – usually in cash – and then disappear.

5. Insurance Scam
   An insurance scam is when a moving company misleads you about how your items are covered in case of damage or loss. They may do this to appear reputable, but in reality, the required coverage for a moving company is limited. Depending on the type of move – whether it’s in-state or out-of-state – coverage is generally between 30 cents and 60 cents per pound of cargo. That’s obviously not enough to cover the cost of your items. A shady mover may exaggerate the amount of coverage or not be insured at all. Some crooks will even “misplace” valuable items and let their insurance company settle with the customer, usually at a fraction of the actual value. The items are then sold off by the mover, who pockets the profits.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Here are some red flags to look out for when you’re choosing a moving company:

• They give you an estimate without any on-site inspection. Avoid movers who give you a quote on moving your belongings sight unseen. They might try to jack up the price once they’ve loaded the truck.
• They don’t provide a quote in writing. Don’t rely on a verbal quote.
• They ask you to sign incomplete or unclear documents. Always review any paperwork before you sign, and don’t let anyone rush you.
• They’re evasive when you ask questions or are hard to reach. Be wary of movers who act like they’re too busy to talk to you.
• They use contractors instead of employees. Moving company employees generally must undergo background checks. Often, contract helpers don’t.
• They don’t provide you with a pamphlet from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This is required if you’re moving to a different state.
• They have signs of a potential fly-by-night operation. They may not list a physical business address or may not say the name of the company when answering the phone.
• They have lots of bad reviews. Or, they might have NO reviews. Either way, avoid these companies.
• They want a big deposit. Avoid movers who ask for a large deposit – it may be the last time you’ll see the moving company.

Ways to Protect Yourself

Here are some ways you can stay safe from moving scams:

• Don’t accept a sight-unseen quote from a mover that hasn’t inspected the items that they will be moving. Legitimate movers send an employee to your home to thoroughly inspect and document the items that need to be moved before providing a quote for moving services.
• Get a detailed estimate and contract in writing upfront and read all the terms and conditions carefully.
• Research moving companies by checking their references and reviews, getting estimates from multiple companies, and – for moves out of state – looking them up with the FMCSA at fmsca.gov.
• Find out about your mover’s insurance and understand your own liability, especially for valuable items.
• Don’t sign a blank contract – or anything you don’t understand. And don’t let anyone rush you into signing.
• Don’t pay for everything in advance – or pay a deposit of any amount in cash, which can’t be traced. If you can, pay by credit card so it’s trackable.
• To avoid moving company scams, you could hire local workers to load and unload a rental truck, which you then drive.

What to Do if You’re a Victim of a Moving Scam

If you believe you’ve been a victim of a moving scam, here’s what to do.

• Go to moverescue.com and request help with your situation.
• If you’ve moved within the same state, contact your attorney general at naag.org.
• If you’ve moved to another state, file a complaint with the FMCSA at fmcsa.gov.
• If you paid by credit card, the charges can sometimes be reversed if it turns out you’ve been scammed.

When you’re looking for a moving company, it’s important to shop around and do your research. You don’t want to trust your treasured items to just anyone. Keep these tips in mind and send moving scammers packing! If you have questions about managing your financing during a move, contact your financial institution.