Moving Scams
As more people are on the move this summer, the number of reported moving scams is quickly rising. Moving scams are projected to post a 35% jump year over year by the end of 2023, according to a separate analysis by HireAHelper, in which researchers analyzed BBB complaints filed about the marketplace for movers. Scams are being blamed for bilking consumers out of an expected $1.59 million in 2023, a 42% jump over 2022. The average victim says they’ve lost $836 in a moving scam this year, the survey shows.
The most common scams are:
• No-shows: Incidents of movers not showing up for a scheduled move accounted for 26% of the scams reported. This is when a moving company asks the customer to make a deposit or to pay an upfront fee but then fails to show up for the job. Often, the so-called moving company is later unreachable, too.
• Mover fraud: This is when fake moving companies pose as real businesses and perform the work of moving people’s possessions—but then demand a ransom for consumers to get their belongings back. This is also known as “hostage load,” as these movers extort customers for additional charges. These have comprised 24% of BBB complaints this year. The growth in these reports has prompted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to launch a crackdown this spring.
• Change-of-address scam: This is when scammers trick people who have recently moved into paying a fee (usually around $100 or more) in order to have their address changed to their new residence. Victims are directed to a website disguised to look like the U.S. Postal Service. (The USPS offers a change-of-address service for free in person or at a modest fee of $1.05 online.) Change of address scams accounted for 31% of complaints—the highest percentage—but that is down from 37% last year, the report notes.
The report warns of other scams, like movers who fail to adhere to the terms of the contract, overcharge or bribe customers with discounts for positive reviews. To avoid being duped by a moving scam, researchers offer the following tips:
• Compare multiple quotes from moving companies, and be skeptical of significantly lower or higher quotes, lack of details, absence of written contracts and excessive down payments.
• Check the company’s online presence, and look up verified customer reviews on websites such as the Better Business Bureau.
• Keep a detailed inventory, including photos, of your possessions in case anything goes missing. Lock up your most expensive valuables.
• Consider buying moving insurance as added protection.