HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Moving scams are out there. Some movers charge for quotes. Some hold your stuff hostage. Some make claims that are too good to be true. What are some red flags to watch out for? How can you make sure you are getting a reputable mover you can trust with your stuff?
"There are several different ways that people are getting scammed when it comes to moving. So whether it be they search online and they have a specific company in mind that they're looking for and the scammer could be using a name that's very similar, but it's actually the wrong URL." This comes from Stephanie Mills, Marketing Director for Two Men and a Truck.
Another way moving companies are taking advantage of customers is by holding their things for ransom, telling customers that if they want to see their things, they're going to have to fork over some more money.
Some red flags to think about before hiring a moving company are:
- They don't have the US D O T numbers.
- They don't have the proper paperwork.
- They don't use vehicles that are licensed and insured.
- They don't have uniformed workers or employees, they have day laborers.
- A legitimate company will not charge you for a quote.
- If something seems to good to be true, it probably is.
Mills cautions, "Typically, what your mom told you growing up, you get what you pay for. Typically, that is the case. You might have a deal that you find online. And if you're comparing other companies you might realize wow, this is a lot less than the other companies that I'm looking at that there could be a too-good-to-be-true situation."
RELATED: How to spot real estate 'scams'
