Avoid the Scam: Beware of fraudulent moving companies | Local

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Allowing someone you don’t know to drive away with your belongings is among the many stressful aspects of a long-distance move. The stress can be compounded by fraudulent movers who charge significantly more than the amount quoted, have unreasonably long delivery windows, hold items hostage for additional undisclosed fees, and deliver damaged goods.

A new, in-depth investigative study by the Better Business Bureau finds that scams are widespread in the moving industry, particularly when it comes to interstate moves. 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.

According to the BBB study, a fraudulent moving company initially may be helpful on the phone and may have a well-

designed website boasting its many years of experience, well-trained workers, satisfied customers and appropriate licensing. However, the red flags begin when the company claims to be unable to make an in-

person inspection and estimate. And while the company may claim to be local, in reality it is based out of state and is paying for a local post office box address. An initial lowball quote soon balloons as the company claims — often based on improper calculations — that you have more belongings than originally estimated.

The company may demand additional fees after loading and unloading the truck, and it may not deliver your goods until days or even weeks after you move in. In fact, the company you originally paid may not even be the company conducting your move — it may have hired local temporary workers who rented a truck, or it may have acted as a broker with another company.

Because most consumers only hire professional movers a few times in their lives, they are often unsure of just what to look for in a reputable company. This lack of knowledge costs consumers big time as victims of moving scams report shady companies holding their belongings hostage until they pay a hefty ransom.

Chilling stories

BBB heard reports about these unethical companies from many victims across the United States.

One victim, a Wisconsin woman, reported her items arriving from a moving company more than two months late. Several items were broken, and the woman told the movers there were items they hefted into her house that did not belong to her. The victim also told us she was charged nearly $1,200 more than the company’s original quote, despite the company’s tardy delivery and mishandling of home items.

Another victim, we’ll call him Jeremiah, reported to BBB that he got a bid from a well-rated company called All Pro Moving Group. Jeremiah was given an initial quote of $5,000 from…