How To Detect Scam Movers

Moving Scams and Scam Movers

The news is sometimes filled with stories of moving scams and scam movers. We have prepared this page to help consumers understand what to look for.

You know you are a rogue mover if…

You find yourself quoting customers in terms of cubic feet!
You won’t guarantee anything in writing!
Your price is 1/3 of REAL movers’ prices!
You can’t name the tariff you use to quote with!
You find yourself talking to your customer with your cigarette still in your mouth!
You find three times more stuff than your customer “told you over the phone!”
You won’t let your customer witness the weighing of his goods!
You demand cash at pick up!
Your credit card machine is “broken” or “down”!
You don’t seem to know where your customers’ goods are!
Detecting rogue/scam movers…
Did the “mover” “quote” you by cubic feet?

If so, it is a virtual certainty that they are not operating from any known tariff. By law movers must have and subscribe to a published tariff. The tariff has all charges laid out and accounted for. You should find another mover.

Definition: TARIFF: List of charges for moving services published and filed with the Surface Transportation Board (DOT).

Can the mover tell you what tariff he is quoting from?

If not, you should run screaming into the night!

Does the mover demand a deposit or ask for half the money up front?

Standard movers do not demand half of the money up front. Their service speaks for itself. Unless you require a very specific day or time it is highly unusual for a standard mover to need a deposit.

Is your “estimated” cost significantly lower than other estimates from major moving companies?

Your costs between movers should not vary that much; if you have an “estimated” cost that is too good to be true — it is too good to be true.

The normal method of operation of these “movers” is to quote very low, sound very nice and professional, and then on the day of pick up you will be informed that you have a significant amount more than you reported and the cost will go up — usually about 2-3 times the original estimate.

By following the above guidelines you should be able to avoid “rogue movers”.

