Moving Scam Fighters and Resources

The best protection against moving scam is a well-informed consumer who does his homework every step of the way. Moving is arduous, and having someone else do it for you doesn't mean you can leave all the details in their hands.

There are many versions to the moving scam, but the basic scam begins with a prospective client contacting a moving company and requesting a cost estimate. In today's market this often happens online via moving directories, brokers, or phone calls. These moving brokers are salesmen prone to quoting sometimes low, but usually reasonable prices with no room for the movers to provide a quality service.

The moving industry seems to be much more scam-ridden than many other industries. Most people don't know this.

Hiring a moving company can be complicated, and even an honest mover can disappoint you unless you know your rights. And those can vary depending on whether you're moving between states or within one. Here's how to protect yourself

Anyone can advertise in the Yellow Pages, it doesn't mean that they are licensed or insured – so, don't believe everything that you read. If a mover includes their license (IM, DOT, or ICC) number in his ad, check it out first. (For interstate movers, you can find out this information from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) at http://www.protectyourmove.gov.

Summer is peak moving season, with an estimated two-thirds of all moves occurring between now through the end of August. It's also prime time for moving scams – and "strong-arming" involves more than a carrier's biceps.

Before hiring a mover, make sure you know your rights and responsibilities! Learn to spot the red flags of moving fraud and make your next move a success by downloading a free Moving Fraud Prevention Guide. Interstate movers must comply with federal rules and regulations, which include registering with FMCSA. Search for registered movers and view their complaint histories before selecting a mover.

The Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced today that its Moving Fraud Task Force has shut down five household goods moving companies in Florida, South Carolina and Maryland for holding customer shipments hostage and failing to turn over records related to their investigations. - See more at: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/fmcsa%E2%80%99s-moving-fraud-task-force-shuts-down-five-companies-one-week#sthash.qVbeL8mm.dpuf