7 Moving Scams and How to Avoid Them

To ease the stress of moving, millions of people trust a moving company to help them safely transport their items. While most moving services are trustworthy, unfortunately, moving scams happen, damaging the timeline and budget of your move. 

Read on to learn moving scam red flags, how to protect yourself from getting scammed, and how to find the right moving company to assist during your move. 

Common Red Flags of Moving Scams

1. Lowball Quote

Some moving companies may deliberately provide a low quote to get customers in the door but then charge a significantly higher price and withhold the customer’s possessions until the higher amount is paid. If an original price quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. Get multiple quotes from different companies to understand the typical cost to hire movers in your area, and make sure your moving contract covers all aspects of the moving process in your total price.

2. Lack of a Contract or Blank Contract

A common moving scam is when a moving company asks you to sign a blank contract or fails to provide any kind of contract. Never sign a blank contract or hand over any money without seeing the full moving contract. The point of a contract is to clearly outline all of the services the moving company plans to provide. Without a signed agreement, you can’t guarantee what your moving company will do or charge during your move.  

3. Lack of Insurance

Make sure your moving company has adequate moving insurance coverage to protect your belongings during the move. A trustworthy moving company will protect your property in case of an accident, which is why lack of insurance is a surefire sign of a moving scam.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, interstate movers must offer two different liability options referred to as valuation coverage: full value protection and released value. Full value protection means the moving company is responsible for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods in your entire shipment. Released value coverage only holds movers accountable for $0.60 per pound per item. 

If a moving company refuses to share documentation that outlines what kind of insurance they provide, it’s time to move on to another moving company.

4. Negotiating the Price After Pickup 

Moving scammers may try to re-negotiate the cost of your move after picking up your belongings, claiming there are additional costs due to the scope of the job or other fictional reasons. That’s why it’s essential to have a detailed contract that covers all of the services your movers will handle and the price of each task. Keep a copy of your contract to reference in case your movers try to add additional charges to your invoice.

5. Requiring a Moving Deposit

A common moving scam is to require a deposit, usually cash, to lock in the company’s business. Reputable movers will not require cash or large deposits for a move—payment is typically required upon delivery of your belongings. When you hand over a cash deposit ahead of the move, you have no way of getting the money back if your movers cancel or damage your belongings. Use a credit card to pay for your move after the drop-off to provide an additional layer of protection.

6. Changing Business Name

Some untrustworthy movers will constantly change their business name to avoid getting caught by the Better Business Bureau and authorities. If your moving company doesn’t have a website or answers the phone without sharing its business name, that’s a red flag. Ask to see the mover’s business license to ensure they comply with state and federal mover regulations. 

7. Lack of an Online Presence

It’s essential to research potential moving companies before choosing one for your move. Scroll through each company’s website and check for any online reviews to get a sense of how happy previous companies were with the company’s service. If a moving company has no online presence, proceed with caution. This position could imply the company is trying to stay hidden or avoid negative reviews online. 

Questions to Ask Moving Companies

It’s best to ask your movers several key questions before signing any contracts to ensure you trust and understand their business practices. Here are some questions to ask your potential moving company: 

• How much moving experience do you have?

• Can I review a copy of your business license? 

• What kind of liability coverage do you provide?

• What happens if items are broken or damaged during the move?

• What time will you arrive?

• What happens if the move takes longer than your estimate?

• When is payment due for the move?

What to Look For in a Moving Company Contract

Moving contracts are essential to avoid frustration and scams, so you want to ensure that yours is accurate and covers all of the important details of your move. Each contract should cover the following:

• Services included: Will they pack last-minute items? Do you need to reserve the service elevator or will the moving service take care of it? Your moving team should include these details in the description of services.

• Moving day timeline: There should be a breakdown of what time the movers expect to arrive at your home and how long it will take them to load the truck, with another timeline for when the movers arrive at your new location.

• Payment terms and amounts: Your contract should include the total amount due, possible surcharges, and a payment method so you can avoid any confusion on moving day.

• Liability and insurance: Your contract should include a section where the moving company explains its insurance and liability policies. Ensure it outlines key elements and solutions for scenarios like protection for your items, contractors getting hurt on the job, and any damage in the moving process.

• Signature line: All legal contracts need signatures to make them binding, so make sure you and a moving company representative sign the agreement.  

Stay Vigilant for Moving Scams

It’s important to stay alert and cautious when choosing a moving company to avoid becoming a victim of a moving scam. Check and double-check your moving contract terms and look up reviews of potential moving companies before signing any paperwork. If you think your company is scamming you or acting unethically, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Most professional movers are trustworthy and can be a huge help during an otherwise overwhelming life change. Find reputable movers near you to assist with your move and ease your worries about moving scams.