Avoiding A Moving Scam In 2023

Tens of millions of people move each year, and peak moving season is just beginning. This means the demand for movers is high — and the risk of getting scammed may be even higher. With the rise in aggressive marketing by unscrupulous moving brokers, fake customer reviews, and unauthorized subcontracting, the security of individuals and families seeking to move safely and efficiently has come under real threat. To avoid unnecessary stress and the potential loss of significant time and money, follow these guidelines to avoid moving scams.

Do Your Research

There are countless residential moving companies to choose from, but not all are reputable. Begin your search by ensuring each mover on your list registered in your state. You can find the owner of every business if you do a corporation search for your state. Even if it is an LLC you need to find the owner. Do a thorough search on the owner. Do they have a criminal record, are they easily accessible and live in your area if there are issues? Some moving companies even have owners in foreign countries making a lawsuit impossible should something major happen. If you’re in need of a long-distance mover, the company should be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and have a U.S. DOT number.

Be wary of internet “brokers” who promise unusually low prices. These brokers are not movers and do not have staff, trucks, facilities, or systems. The unfortunate result of contracting with a company of this type is lost money as well as potentially stolen or destroyed property that may be priceless to you.

On-Site Estimate Only

Give yourself as much time as possible and get estimates from three different moving companies. Virtual estimates are no longer needed “due to Covid,” opt for an on-site estimate only. Those are the only estimates you can trust. Searching movers near me is a good place to start and then find ones that will perform an on-site moving estimate in writing.

Payment For Your Move

One of the most common moving scams is the “no-show” in which moving companies, or scammers posing as such, charge an upfront deposit and then fail to appear on the scheduled move day. There are also instances of fake movers who do show up, load up a customer’s possessions, and then demand an exorbitant ransom for their return.

Another red flag is what methods of payment are accepted. According to a recent Newsweek investigation of moving company scams, untrustworthy brokers and carriers are strategic in their choice of credit card companies. Many don’t take American Express or Discover because those companies tend to favor customers in price disputes, according to the article. Instead, they push for irreversible deposits via bank-to-bank transfers or popular money transfer apps like Zelle. Immediately strike any company from your list that insists on such payment types. Your mover should never request Zelle, Venmo or Cashapp.

Referrals vs. reviews

Fake customer reviews are a sad reality for consumers today, no matter the industry. Phony online reviews promise to save customers money, luring them to professionally crafted websites that continue the con. The increasing use of AI bots to create realistic reviews is only adding to customers’ inability to vet what they read online.

Instead of relying on reviews, ask for customer references you can check. A reputable residential moving company should be able to provide them on the spot. Also seek out recommendations or referrals from your own trusted network: friends, neighbors, colleagues, and real estate agents can offer feedback to get you started on the path toward selecting a reliable mover.

Know your rights and exercise them

An ounce of prevention is your best bet when it comes to avoiding moving fraud. Federal law requires movers to give you a copy of the FMCSA’s publication “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” prior to an interstate move.

If the worst does happen and you need to know what to do if scammed by a moving company, the best first step is to file a report with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration by calling 1–888-DOT-SAFT or using their online complaint tool. Your report may trigger a federal investigation against the mover and help protect yourself and others from further abuse.

• You might also be interested in Moving Help