Check the company's record and reputation. Talk to local law enforcement and file complaints with the FMCSA and the DOT. Contact your local, state and federal representatives and tell them that you want them to support consumer protection. Call local media: newspapers, television stations.
Create your own website and get the word out. Everything you can do to let other consumers know what's going on in the moving industry. This scam consists of giving quotes to consumers only by phone, instead of inspecting the merchandise being moved on site. Withholding payment until the move is complete will help ensure that your belongings are delivered in a safe and timely manner. A bait and change movement happens when the moving company gives you a quote, but after you load all your belongings into their vehicle, they increase the price.
If you're thinking about moving to a new apartment or house, before calling the moving company, you should be aware of fraudulent moving schemes and how you can keep your money and belongings safe. Or, if the moving company has violated the license and the Department of Transportation impounded your truck while it was in transit, all your valuables will remain on board until the truck goes on sale. Receiving a quote at home will give you a more accurate idea of how much you'll have to pay for your next move. In the current price competition environment, the current scam will continue (and will worsen) unless there are mechanisms for the consumer to force the moving company to maintain its price offer.
Moving companies that don't show up will give a quote and ask customers to pay a deposit, but on the day of the move, they're nowhere to be seen. If the moving company you select is a reputable company, they probably won't ask you to pay a deposit before you move. Make sure the moving company provides you with a detailed list of all your belongings, including the estimated weight and value of each item. Moving companies will evaluate your home to identify any obstacles or hazards, such as a broken ladder, that may arise during a move or any property damage that existed before your arrival. The mandatory deposit scam involves demanding cash in advance for moving services before finishing any work.
Untrustworthy companies will try to omit critical details and, in the end, charge more for their move. However, some moving companies may request an advance deposit to guarantee the date of the move, especially during the seasons discharges from moving. With the hook and the change, a moving company will offer you what seems to be a good estimate for your move.
