Staying Fit
We are a nation on the move. More than 15 million American families will pull up roots in any given year. Unfortunately, some of them will end up victims of scam or "rogue" movers.
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Ron Burley is the author of Unscrewed: The Consumer's Guide to Getting What You Paid For
See also: Could you become a fraud victim?
What's the worst that can happen? "You lose everything you own," warns Melissa Sullivan of moving company Mayflower. "Or a mover might refuse to deliver your belongings until you pay a much higher price than estimated."
It's not a small problem. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the watchdog over interstate movers. They received 1,997 complaints in 2010, many of them about so-called "hostage loads," where rogue movers hold customers' possessions in undisclosed warehouses while demanding thousands of dollars in additional payments.
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"Holding your belongings hostage isn't legal," says the FMCSA's Duane DeBrunye. "If you pay 110 percent of the estimated price, federal law requires the mover to complete delivery."
That's not to say the moving company can't tack-on additional charges if the estimate was low. At least you'll get your things, and then have the chance to dispute a revised amount.
The FMCSA has prosecuted and fined moving companies for failing to respect your rights during a move. Their website allows you to verify if a mover is licensed, and also includes a checklist to help you detect rogue movers. Here are some of the red flags:
- The mover gives an estimate sight-unseen or demands a large cash deposit before the move.
- The mover doesn't give you a copy of "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move," as required by federal regulations.
- The mover's website has no local address or licensing info.
- The telephone is answered with a generic "movers" or "moving company," rather than a company name. Many unscrupulous outfits use multiple names to avoid be tracked down by angry victims.
- On moving day, a rental truck arrives rather than a company-owned or marked fleet truck.
Next: Need a mover? Keep these tips in mind. >>
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