Moving Scams & Rogue Movers – Part 1

Part 1: What’s the Scam?

In this four part series, I’ll be covering the issues surrounding moving scams and rogue movers – everything from how the scam works, how it all started, what is being done, and most importantly, what you can do to avoid it.

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“Hi, my name is Rogue Mover – and I’m here to hold your furniture hostage.”

So what is a rogue mover, and how do they scam you? Typically, a rogue mover will get your business by giving you a low estimate – much lower than the competition – over the phone or through “lead-generating” websites on the internet. Once they show up and pack your things in to their truck, they will demand a ridiculous payment (in some cases, many times that of the estimate) to have your possessions unloaded at your destination, threatening to keep your things until the payment is made.

There are many variations and unfortunate add-ons here as well. Some companies will take an upfront “brokerage” fee or deposit. Others will hold your possessions hostage, put them in to storage, and charge you to have your items delivered as well as for the storage you never asked for. To make matters worse, these companies will not be handling your possessions with care, so you can expect damaged items to be part of the story.

Check out www.movingscam.com for detailed information on scam movers. This site is dedicated to tracking down disreputable moving companies. You might have to comb through some forums to find information, but it’s worth it.

As the moving season kicks in every spring/summer, stories of consumers getting their furniture held hostage, getting scammed by an online brokerage or otherwise just having a nightmare move make their rounds in the newspapers, television, and online media. Avoid being a statistic and equip yourself with information on rogue movers and their disreputable practices.

Rogue Mover Red Flags:

The mover does not offer to perform an on-site estimate before giving you a final quote
The mover gives you an estimate significantly lower than estimates from other companies
The mover gives you an estimate based on cubic feet instead of weight
The mover charges a deposit before the move
The mover does not list address, licensing, or insurance information on their website

How to Research Moving Companies:

Use your state’s business services/records website to find corporate information on the mover, including the owner and number of years in business
Go to the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) site for licensing and insurance information
Check the BBB (Better Business Bureau) for complaint information