May is National Moving Month. How to Hire a Mover You Can Trust

May marks the start of peak moving season across the United States. From graduations to job relocations, millions of Americans are preparing for a major life transition. Unfortunately, increased demand also brings and increase in moving scams.

“The amount of moving activity increases drastically during summer months,” Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB, East Texas said, “Which also means the likelihood of encountering dishonest, unlicensed, or unverified movers increases.”

BBB Scam Tracker data indicates moving-related complaints continue each year, often involving delayed deliveries, damaged goods, or unexpected charges, often costing families thousands of dollars.

BBB auctions those who are planning on making a move to be watchful for the following:

Fly-by-night movers. Movers show up in an unmarked rental truck, rather than a clearly marked company-owned fleet truck, and take off with your possessions. Only when you have arrived at your new residence do you discover your things didn’t make the journey with you.

Movers who hold your belongings hostage. The move seems to be going smoothly, until you arrive at your new home and the movers demand more money before releasing your items.

BBB offers the following tips on preparing for a move, finding a trustworthy moving company, and avoiding scams:

Do your research. Look up Business Profiles for moving companies on BBB.org. The American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) identifies movers that have pledged to uphold high standards of trust and to resolve complaints quickly. Many movers that are BBB Accredited Businesses are also AMSA ProMovers or CAM Members. Note the length of time a company has been in business and read reviews from previous customers.

Verify credentials. For interstate moves, in addition to looking them up on bbb.org, confirm the company is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and has a valid USDOT number.

Get written estimates. Request at least three written estimates based on an in-person or virtual walkthrough. Use caution with quotes which seem unusually low. Remember if an estimate seems too good to be true, it likely is.

Understand payment terms.   Legitimate movers provide clear, documented payment terms. Avoid companies requiring large up front deposits or cash-only payments.

Protect your possessions. Make sure that your mover provides full-value protection insurance for any lost or damaged possessions. Note that insurance is by the pound, so expensive items such as a flat-panel television may need additional replacement cost coverage in case they are damaged in transit. Find out what your household insurance will and won’t cover during a move.

Take your valuables with you. Cash, coins, jewelry, photographs, and important papers should be taken with you or shipped separately using a shipping service with tracking numbers and insurance.

Some “red flags” to watch for when hiring movers include:

• Movers who demand cash or a large deposit before the move.
• Company websites that have no address and no information about a mover’s registration or insurance.
• Movers who claim all items are covered by their insurance.

BBB directory listing of moving companies near you. 

Read more about moving scams.

For more information on federal regulations and information:

In the United States, check out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website, protectyourmove.gov. Infographic: Five Reasons Why TRUST Matters When Hiring a Mover

 

About BBB: BBB is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Most BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million companies, 11,000 charity reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. Visit bbb.org for more information. BBB offices can be found across the United States, Canada and Mexico, including BBB Serving Central East Texas, which was founded in 1985 and serves 19 counties.