CONSUMER ALERT: THE NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION RELEASES TIPS TO HELP AVOID MOVING SCAMS
Be Aware of Deceptive Business Practices That Can Cost Thousands of Dollars for Services Not Provided When Moving to a New Home
Secretary Mosley: “Moving can be stressful and expensive especially if consumers do not know who to hire or how to carefully research to find the right company. Lack of preparation can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars in financial loss.”
The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection provides consumers with important tips to avoid moving scams. Moving from one place to another can be expensive and stressful. Scammers may take this opportunity to defraud consumers through deceptive business practices. According to the Better Business Bureau, in 2024, over 100,000 inquiries were made about moving companies and 718 complaints were filed with BBB against movers with a median average loss of $754. Follow these tips to avoid falling prey to a moving scam.
“Moving can be stressful and expensive especially if consumers do not know who to hire or how to carefully research to find the right company. Lack of preparation can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars in financial loss,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “The NYS Division of Consumer Protection’s tips help consumers avoid unscrupulous movers who are looking to grab their hard-earned money without providing the right service.”
TIPS WHEN MOVING:
· Verify company credentials: Confirm that it’s a government-regulated entity and that they are licensed or registered.
· Moves within New York State: The NYS Department of Transportation licenses companies for moves statewide. To ensure that your moving company is licensed in New York, contact the NYS Department of Transportation at 518-457-6512 or e-mail nymoving@dot.ny.gov. Review “The Summary of Information for Shippers of Household Goods” on the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles website for information on what to expect from your in-state mover.
· Research moving companies: Research potential moving companies thoroughly and check for reviews and ratings. Even a registered mover may have a significant number of complaints associated with their business. Confirm that the moving company is a reputable business with a physical address, has detailed contact information and is rated well by others in consumer reviews. Consider checking databases that collect consumer complaints like the Better Business Bureau, which has a searchable database of consumer reviews.
Moving out of State: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration registers companies that meet legal and safety requirements for moves between New York and other states. Find out whether an interstate moving company is registered through the FMCSA’s Mover Registration Search function. Review the FMCSA’s guide and the Protect Your Move website for more information on your interstate move
Get multiple estimates: Plan to get estimates from at least three companies. Do not rely on any estimates provided over the phone or email without an additional inquiry on the number of items to be moved. Moving companies should gather detailed information about the number of items you need to move.
Pay attention to bait and switch sales practices: This deceptive practice involves providing an initial misleading quote and then making last-minute changes to agreed-upon price quotes. Be wary of companies that offer instant quotes instead of gathering detailed information to provide an accurate estimate. When you receive a binding estimate, you cannot be required to pay more than that the amount you agreed upon, unless you’ve requested additional services after.
Never sign a blank or incomplete estimate: Unscrupulous movers could use a blank or incomplete estimate to change the terms of your move, including the cost, without your knowledge or consent.
Get written estimates and contracts: Moving companies should provide you with multiple documents before, during and after your move with information on the requested services, cost calculations and other agreements between you and the movers. Before signing a contractual agreement, understand what the company is and is not liable for and never sign any blank or incomplete forms.
For any sections that are not applicable to an estimate or agreement, write “N/A” or “Not Applicable” and draw a line through the blank space to prevent unauthorized additions. Understand the factors that will influence the overall price such as the distance between both locations, the number of flights of stairs, and if furniture needs to be disassembled and reassembled.
· Create an inventory of your belongings: Make a photo record and keep a written inventory of all your items. This can help to avoid the loss of personal items.
· Prevent a no-show scam: This occurs when consumers pay a deposit or the full payment upfront, however, the movers never show up to fulfill their obligation. While deposits may vary, reputable companies generally do not require significant advances. Be wary of requests for large upfront payments or full payments in advance. In addition, be selective with your payment method. If possible, pay with a credit card, which offers protection against fraud and permits you to dispute unauthorized charges if a problem arises. Reputable companies will send a confirmation email, text, or phone call with the names and direct contact numbers of the movers prior to move day.
· Review all terms and conditions prior to loading: Before the movers have moved any of your items into the truck, meet with the company representative at your home to review material terms of the contract, most notably the cost and delivery terms.
· Try to resolve any disputes: If you have a dispute with an interstate mover, file a complaint with the FMCSA on their National Consumer Complaint Database. If the move occurred in New York State, first notify the company in writing as soon as possible. If you can’t resolve the issue with the company and the dispute relates to the loss or damage of your goods, file a complaint with DCP. For all other moving disputes, file a complaint with the NYS Department of Transportation.