How to Sniff Out a Moving Scam Before it Costs you Thousands During Peak Moving Season

Did you know 40-50% of all U.S. residential moves take place in the summer months?

Unfortunately, there are many bad actors taking advantage of the busy summer season. So how do you tell the bad from the good?

Tony Bouie, General Manager of Tacoma moving company Lincoln Moving and Storage, offers insight into some of the scams unlicensed moving companies use to trick customers out of thousands of dollars and how to avoid them.

 

Scam #1: “Wow, that price seems too good to be true!” (It is)

When searching online for moving companies, be careful to avoid “moving brokers.” These companies at face-value look to be normal moving companies, but the truth is murkier.

“Brokers generally operate without a license and usually don’t even have any moving trucks,” says Bouie. “They make their money by selling customers who call them to real moving companies.”

Oftentimes they’re able to trick people into calling them by offering deals that are a bit too good to be true. 

“Once the customer is actually put into contact with a real moving company though, that company gives them a real quote that is much more realistic, which can be sort of jarring – but you’ve already paid the broker.”

 

Scam #2: Quoting With Their Eyes Closed

One of the most important stages of a move is the quote process. This will either include a virtual or in person inspection of your home and the actual property you need moved. 

“The quote is one of the most important parts of the moving process where you as the customer decide on the level of service you need for your move, and your moving company tells you how much time, effort and what materials they will need to complete your job,” Bouie explains.

If a website or mover claims they can give you an exact price without seeing your property either in person or virtually, consider it a big red flag. 

“You may be talking to a moving broker that is planning to sell your job to the highest bidder. You’ll always save money and have a better experience if you work directly with a moving company rather than going through a third party.”

 

Scam #3: No License, BIG Problem

Did you know moving companies need a license in order to legally carry out local moves in the state of Washington? 

Legitimate moving companies will have their state license information visible on their website. You can verify license numbers you find on the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commissions website.

If you find a moving company that doesn’t have a license number on their website and can’t give you one when you request it, you may be talking to a “rogue mover.”

“I met a woman from Proctor who was just trying to move closer to her job,” Bouie adds. “She didn’t realize she was moving with an unlicensed mover until she opened some boxes at her new home and found her collection of wine glasses totally shattered and her “movers” long gone.”

Unlicensed movers aren’t bound by the law, so if your property is broken or stolen you will often have no legal recourse. 

“If she had moved with a licensed mover, her property automatically would have been covered by a free limited liability insurance coverage.”

Move safely this summer!