Above / The Better Business Bureau provides a heads-up for folks on the move. Beware of scammers and shady companies that might “move-in” this month of May, considered one of top moving months of the year.
From April through September, the nation experiences its peak season for moving. Whether a short-haul local move or coast-to-coast, it doesn’t matter, notes Naperville resident Steve Bernas, president, and CEO of Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois, mindful that for many consumers in Chicago and its suburbs, May is the prime moving month followed by demands in June, July and August.
“The moving of your personal possessions can be a nerve-wracking experience,” Bernas said. “Added to that stress is the unfortunate possibility of being involved with a less than reputable mover. Bad movers are well known to move in on your money and possessions during the peak moving season.”
An in-depth investigative study by Better Business Bureau (BBB®) in 2020 found that scams are widespread in the moving industry. According to Bernas, the BBB receives an average of 13,000 complaints and negative reviews about movers each year, with many complaints describing how experiences with dishonest moving companies have turned into financial and emotional nightmares.
“The good news is there are plenty of high-quality reputable movers and checking reviews and ratings at BBB.org is a great place to start,” Bernas reminds local residents. “The bad news is for consumers not doing their research, they can end up in the hands of bad movers who can price gouge, tack on additional charges to the move, hold items hostage, or be outright scammers.”
BBB reports some all-too-common scams:
- You are provided with an estimate, only to have the mover add on extras once they have your belongings in their possession. Their estimate is not valid, and they can tack on as many additional costs as they’d like. If you want your furniture back, you have to give in and pay the additional cost.
- The mover gives you an estimate for the cost of your move and then changes the arranged deal at the last minute. They will sell you on a low price, but in the end, the cost of your move ends up being double or triple of your original agreement.
- An unreputable mover will add on additional charges based on unfounded reasons, such as giving you an estimate based on weight, but after your valuables are on their truck, they charge you extra, claiming the cubic feet have exceeded the weight estimate. Since this is impossible to calculate, you’re stuck paying the fees or giving up your goods. Other charges include saying that packing wasn’t included in the price or charging more because your items weren’t completely packed.
- You contract to have the mover pack your items and promise to deliver your belongings on-time. Then they call saying your belongings are in the back of a truck behind two other people’s belongings, so you can’t receive your items until theirs is delivered first. Or, if the mover has a licensing violation and their truck is impounded, your valuables are stuck on board until the truck is released.
- You pay for your move, the mover loads their truck with your belongings, then closes up shop and flees, abandoning your shipment either on the truck or in a private storage facility. This scam allows the mover to take off with your money and your belongings.
Tips to avoid getting scammed…
- Check out reviews and ratings at BBB.org
- Before hiring a moving company: Look up a mover’s license number on FMCSA’s website
- Don’t Fall for a Front Company: Double check that the mover has a real address and is not just a scam artist representing a reputable moving business. Be sure the mover has lists the brick-and-mortar address on its website. (Many scammers are known do their dirty work online and never even visit a prospective client.)
- Don’t Give a Deposit: A mover that demands a deposit upfront will likely take your money and run. If a mover demands a deposit, move on to a different business.
- Don’t Pay Cash: When you pay cash, there is no evidence of a transaction. If your belongings aren’t moved or you don’t get them back, you have no evidence of ever having paid for the service.
- Look for a Branded Truck: Real moving businesses have real moving trucks, complete with branding and logos. To make sure scam artists don’t drive off with your belongings, check the truck for a logo.
- Do Not Sign a Partial Contract: Ensure the contract is complete and all filled in before signing anything. Make sure the contract is more than two pages and includes all of your goods.
- Buy Extra Insurance: A reputable mover will offer additional types of insurance to ensure you have the highest protection in the event of an accident or damage.
What to do if you are the victim of a moving scam…
- File a report with local police.
- Contact MoveRescue at moverescue.com or (800) 832-1773.
- Go to BBB.org to file a complaint or report a scam on Scam Tracker.
Better Business Bureau (BBB®) of Chicago
BBB® of Chicago and Northern Illinois is a nonprofit organization that has served both consumers and trustworthy businesses for over 95 years and is a part of the IABBB. We help protect consumers from scams and provide an extensive free database for consumers to see business ratings and reviews. We help promote trustworthy businesses and strive to provide tools to help businesses of integrity excel. We connect customers to businesses they can trust.
Report submitted by Steve J. Bernas, President & CEO, Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois.
