Moving is not a common occurrence in the life of the individual. The vast majority of people move only once or twice during their lifetime. What is common, on the other hand, is moving scams. Considering how most people take the “I don’t need to know it until I need it” approach, it is no wonder how so many fall prey to frauds, scams, and rogue movers. To make sure you’re not one of the unfortunate ones, Verified Movers are bringing you a quick rundown of recently released BBB’s Study on Rogue Operators, along with the crash course for avoiding moving scams.
Moving scams are a very real and ever-growing threat.
Knowledge IS power
On June 30, 2020. Better Business Bureau (BBB), in conjuncture with the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA) and the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM), released a case study titled “Know your mover: BBB Study reveals scammers price gouge, take belongings hostage, and destroy goods.” Thus, effectively giving the moving industry and you the means to confront and combat this ever-growing menace. Although this study on rogue operators focuses mostly on interstate relocations, it provides significant insight into how moving scams work in general. And that can be useful in any situation, even on the local level.
How common are moving scams?
The simple answer? Extremely. We could just leave it at that. But, we won’t. Simply because the facts are getting more devastating. According to BBB, the number of complaints and bad reviews averages to about 13,000 per year. And that’s not even the bad news. Unfortunately, only about 10% of people report fraud or leave a bad review with BBB. Meaning that more than 90% of moving scams go unnoticed and/or unpunished by the law.
How to recognize fraudulent moving companies?
In a way, we might say that moving scams is an industry all by itself. Scammers are well-organized, smart, and ingenious, and they are getting better at what they do. Meaning, they will employ every resource at their disposal to trick you out of your hard-earned money. So, let’s take a quick look at how it all works:
1. Don’t get caught up in The Web
Close to 90% of the people looking to relocate start their search for movers online. Needless to say, the accessibility and convenience that the internet offers certainly make things easier. But guess what? It also makes it easier for rogue movers to set up a scam.
Fraudulent moving companies will often have a well-designed website. They also do not shy away from advertising, so that they can bring their site on the very top of Google search results. At a glance, you won’t be able to tell that they are frauds. And it’s exactly what makes them so dangerous. Because they will (claim to) have it all:
- “Years of experience”
- Fake reviews from “satisfied customers”
- Seemingly valid address
- Trust seals from reputable sources, such as BBB or Verified Movers
- Phone number or email address that will allow you to contact them
In short, their website will be extremely hard to differentiate from similar sites of reputable moving companies. Therefore, never rush with your decision. As mentioned, you’re not moving every day. Take your time, and do extensive research before you contact a moving company. Which brings us to the next point.
Scammers can be pretty tech-savvy. Their websites will often look extremely good.
2. Governed by Law
In the USA, every moving company that deals with interstate relocations has to have a USDOT number. This number is issued by the FMCSA and you can check it on their website, along with a list of complaints and how they’re resolved. And you should always do this.
On moving companies’ websites, this number is often found at the very bottom of the homepage. Lack of USDOT is usually a good indicator that the company you’re looking into is a fraud. However, as mentioned in the Study on Rogue Operators, be mindful that fraudulent moving companies often go so far as to obtain a USDOT from FMCSA. However, for them, it’s only another way to mask their true nature.
3. Rainbows and unicorns
If something is too good to be true, it probably isn’t. This might sound like Murphy’s Law, in its inherent pessimism. However, in the case of scammers, it’s completely true.
If you’re already in the process of searching for moving companies, you’ve probably seen the term “affordable” tossed around pretty often. But what does it have to do with moving scams? A lot, actually. Because “cheap” and “affordable” are two different worlds. Companies that offer affordable moving services value their work. As they should, we might add. They will never underprice their value into oblivion, because they know they offer exceptional service. Fraudulent moving companies, on the other hand, will often give you an “offer you can’t refuse”. They will low-ball it so hard, it might practically seem free. Therefore, compare the prices of multiple companies and, most importantly, demand an on-site estimate.
4.Out of on-site, out of mind
After you’ve found a moving company that offers everything you need to relocate, you should contact them. This will allow you to “feel around” a bit and it’s a great way to spot some red flags:
- Reputable moving companies will always agree to do an on-site estimate. If the representative you’re talking to refuses to do it, for whatever reason – pass. You’re probably dealing with the fraud. Even excuses such as “coronavirus, social distancing, etc.” In that case, demand a virtual estimate. Do they refuse? Hard pass – definitely a fraud.
- Ask them how they charge: per volume or weight. In the US, movers are obligated to charge based on weight. So, if they answer “volume” – pass.
- Say that you would like to visit them at their headquarters. You guessed it – they don’t have any. So, they’ll give you a thousand reasons why you shouldn’t do it. Again, pass.
Remember: read ALL reviews. Don’t rely too much on the star rating.
5. Word-of-mouth
Read the reviews. We mean, really, thoroughly read them. Don’t just look at the star ratings. Reviews are a great way to familiarize yourself with the company. Be sure to pay close attention to repeating complaints. If there are multiple people, complaining about the same thing, you should probably steer clear of the company.
Stay informed = stay safe
Rogue movers and moving scams are a real threat. One that shouldn’t be taken lightly under any circumstance. Therefore, take your time to read BBB’s Study on Rogue Operators. It will help you immensely to avoid moving scams. And if you need help with anything moving-related, Verified Movers are always here for you. Give us a call, and we’ll be happy to help you find a reputable company for your moving needs.