Greg's Corner

Moving scam steals families’ belongings

By Greg Collier

With the increasing demand for housing, many families are in the process of moving. Whether it’s across town or across the country, many families are turning to professional movers to transport their belongings to their new homes. Unfortunately, like a lot of other service industries, there are a number of scammers posing as legitimate moving companies.

For example, families in the Charlotte, North Carolina area have reported to police that their belongings disappeared after hiring what they thought was a moving company. Several families have reported that the so-called movers packed up their stuff and just made off with it. The phony movers were even said to have appeared legitimate, as they had a professional looking website and a customer service department. However, once the families lost their belongings, the website and phone numbers would disappear.

That’s only one moving scam that can affect families. A more prevalent scam is when shady long-distance moving companies hold your belongings hostage while they demand extra payment. These fly-by-night companies often end up going out of business, leaving customers’ belongings in a state of legal limbo which is difficult to recover.

Just like any other major life decision, you should do a lot of research before picking out a moving company. Check online reviews and ask friends on social media for recommendations. You can also check the mover’s license number with the Department of Transportation to see their complaint history and if they’re not registered with the DOT, that can be a big red flag that the company may not be legitimate.

If a company gives you an estimate sight unseen, they may also be trying to scam you. Always get at least three estimates from three different movers and get them in writing. Never make payment in full upfront, and make sure that the movers provide full-value protection insurance. Lastly, if anything feels out of the ordinary with your movers, don’t be afraid to go with another company.