Better Business Bureau

For countless Americans, the month of May signifies a major transition in their lives. May marks the beginning of the busiest time in the nation for moving.

In 2022, 41% of all business inquiries on BBB.org for moving companies occurred from May-August, and nearly 15,198 complaints were filed with BBB against moving companies throughout the year. Additionally, consumers reported more than $129,040 lost to moving scams to BBB Scam Tracker in 2022. 27.3 million Americans moved in 2022, which is a 4% increase from 2021.

With the amount of moving activity during summer, the potential of being a victim of a moving scam also increases. There are several versions of moving scams reported to BBB every year, including:

• Consumers receive a quote and pay a deposit, but the movers never show up.

• The moving company provides a quote based on expected weight, and after loading the truck, they inform the consumer that the load is over the expected weight and an additional fee must be paid.

• The most disruptive and difficult to anticipate moving scam is when everything appears to be going well. The movers provide an estimate, arrive on time, and load your belongings on a truck. However, this is where the interaction turns disastrous. When the truck fails to arrive at its destination, either your belongings are gone, or the company requires the consumer to pay an additional fee to deliver them, holding the possessions hostage.

To avoid becoming a victim of a moving scam this summer and in the future, BBB recommends consumers follow these guidelines:

• Watch out for warning signs. When reviewing a company’s website, if there is no address or information about a mover’s registration or insurance, it is a sign that it may not possess the proper policies to protect a consumer’s belongings. Additionally, if the mover uses a rented truck or offers an estimate over the phone prior to conducting an on-site inspection, it may not be a legitimate business.

• Be wary of unusual requests. If a mover asks for a large down payment or full payment in advance, that may indicate a fraudulent business. If an individual’s possessions are being held hostage for additional payment not agreed upon when the contract was signed, contact BBB or local law enforcement for help.

• Get everything in writing. When moving between states, check licensing with the U.S. Department of Transportation. All interstate moving companies require an identification number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is required of all interstate moving companies, which can be verified at ProtectYourMove.org.

• Keep an inventory of your belongings. An inventory sheet is one of the best ways to keep track of your possessions. BBB recommends consumers who are moving label the boxes their belongings are packed in and what is in each box. In general, movers are not liable for lost or damaged contents in customer-packed boxes unless there is provable negligence on the mover’s part. Taking photos of the contents before packing is a great way to prove if damages were incurred during the moving process.

• Ask questions. Do not be afraid to ask questions about anything you don’t understand. If the moving company can’t or won’t answer your questions, look for another company. Trust matters when hiring a moving company.

For more information and to learn how to protect yourself, Google “BBB 10 Steps to Avoid Scams”. If you spot a scam, whether you have lost money or not, report it to BBB’s Scam Tracker at BBB.org/ScamTracker and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your story can help protect consumers from similar scams.