Moving is stressful enough without having to worry about being taken advantage of by a disreputable moving company. A typical moving scam usually involves a moving company giving you an ultra-low quote, but when they arrive at your new home, the movers refuse to unload your belongings unless you pay them a much higher price than you were originally quoted, usually demanding to be paid in cash. According to the American Moving and Storage Association, these are some things to look for to avoid being scammed:
- Beware of prices based on anything but the shipment's weight - Legal interstate moving estimates are based on the weight of your shipment, but scam movers often base charges on the cubic feet your goods take up in the truck, and then adjust them to their advantage. Under law, shipment weight must be determined on a scale certified by a state agency.
- Don't rely on a price estimate made over the phone or online - Federal rules require a legitimate interstate mover provide a written estimate. While some legitimate movers may offer a survey over the phone, it is a good idea to request that they send a trained, experienced estimator to your home for a more accurate estimate, if possible.
- Watch out for required deposits - A legitimate mover generally doesn't require a deposit before moving you except in extraordinary circumstances; however, scam movers frequently require significant deposits even for the simplest moves. If a mover requires you pay a significant deposit before your move to "hold your dates" or to insure "prompt service," you may want to use another mover.
- Beware of unreasonably low prices - While honest movers are competitive and their prices differ, they will be within a reasonable range. If a mover comes in with an estimate that is excessively below all the others that you have received, that should send up a red flag that you should probably avoid them.
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