PHOENIX – With rents and home prices skyrocketing, Attorney General Mark Brnovich is warning Arizonans who are moving to beware of moving scams.
Moving can be a stressful and expensive experience even when everything goes as planned. Unfortunately, it quickly can turn into a nightmare if you become the victim of an unscrupulous moving company. Moving scams can result in lost or damaged possessions, hundreds or even thousands of dollars in “extra” fees, and hours or days of wasted time.
“If you’re looking to move, be wary of moving scams,” warned Attorney General Mark Brnovich. “To avoid falling prey to unscrupulous movers, look for red flags such as refusals to provide a written estimate, requirements to pay a large, upfront deposit or payment in cash, and requests to sign blank or incomplete documents.”
Moving scams can include false advertising, undisclosed fees, possessions being “held hostage,” and lowball prices. Some movers will quote a low price, load all of a consumer’s household goods, and then refuse to unload the goods until the consumer pays a higher price. These “hostage loads” are illegal and put consumers in an impossible position of either paying a scammer or risking the loss of their possessions.
Follow these tips to reduce the chances of being scammed during your move:
- Thoroughly research moving companies. Before hiring a company, check on a business’s complaint history and reputation with organizations like the Better Business Bureau. Start your research early. Read online reviews. Do you see red flags from customers?
- Check the mover’s registration. Interstate movers are required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have a U.S. DOT number. You can confirm your mover is registered by checking the FMCSA’s website or calling the FMCSA at (202) 385-2423. Arizona has no registration or professional licensing requirements for movers.
- Get moving quotes in writing. Before moving, obtain at least three written estimates. Interstate moves are priced according to weight and distance. Intrastate moves are usually based on hourly charges.
- Beware of extremely low estimates. Dishonest moving companies will often give you a low estimate over the phone or in online postings to get your business and then demand far more after your goods have been loaded onto their truck. This is illegal.
- Ask about charges or additional fees. Moving companies may charge additional fees for travel time, packing materials, stairs, or gas, and/or have minimum charges. Make sure you receive a detailed up-front written estimate.
- Do not pay cash or a large deposit before the move. Some movers will require a small deposit when the contract is signed, but beware of movers requiring a large up-front deposit, cash, or full payment beforehand.
- Move valuable items separately. If you have valuable items like cash, electronics, or jewelry, important medical items like medications or inhalers, or confidential items like bank statements, you should move those items yourself.
- Make sure you have proper insurance. Most moving insurance is based upon weight and not the value of your goods, so your expensive, lightweight items may not have enough basic coverage if damaged during your move. Read the insurance coverage and ask questions before signing any contract. Prior to your move, you may also want to check with your homeowner’s or renter’s policy or consider purchasing supplemental moving insurance.
- Get copies of everything you sign.
AGTV spoke with Assistant Attorney General Alyse Meislik about moving fraud and complaints coming into the AGO.
In 2017, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office helped advance legislation to protect Arizona families during the moving process. Arizona law now requires movers to disclose accurate information about fees, charges, and insurance before loading their goods. It also prohibits movers from adding additional costs on the back end and refusing to deliver goods unless they previously provided consumers with an up-front, written estimate and the consumer has not paid that previously agreed-upon amount.
If you believe you are a victim of consumer fraud, you can file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. You can also contact the Consumer Information and Complaints Unit in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763; in Tucson at (520) 628-6648; and outside of the metro Phoenix area at (800) 352-8431. If a moving company is holding your goods “hostage,” contact your local police department and file a complaint with our office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety immediately. For interstate moves, you may also file complaints with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
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