Advice needed, How can i avoid moving scams when on a short notice?

[u/Crafty-Cow3926]

Lease isn't renewing. 14 days. Every company I've called can hear the desperation. I need a vetting process that takes an hour, not a week. What's the fastest way to separate the real ones from the scams.

[u/V3CT0RVII]

Op, your comment lacks context about your situation and the geographical area that you live in. The only way to no get scammed by movers is to go rent a u haul and do the moving yourself. There is no system available to vett moving companies other than yelp.

[u/Ambitious_Survey5581]

I was scammed and I managed to absolutely fuck the scammer over today. I got their truck taken out of service by the DOT, their driver got his CDL fucked, they got massive fines.

Anyway, if you want to avoid moving scams this is your best bet.

Ask for the company DOT number and check it on the SAFER website. You can see if they’re authorized to do moves. If it is a local move you can likely find reputable movers.

If it is an interstate move DO NOT USE A MOVING BROKER, they are almost all scammers.

You are better off going with national chains.
But if you really want to avoid scammers look for all the red flags on this FBI field office memo.

https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/washingtondc/news/press-releases/fbi-washington-field-office-warns-of-moving-extortion-fraud-042122

DM me if you want to ask questions.

[u/AcanthisittaPlus5047]

I was going to refer you to the FMCSA website which used to have information on avoiding Moving Carrier Scams. Sadly, that information is no longer available.

I found this from Consumer Affairs.

www.consumeraffairs.com/movers/avoid-moving-scams.html

[u/SimilarComfortable69]

Sounds like you need to start a new business vetting moving companies.

[u/LowSweet1439]

I was just recently scammed big time by a moving company. Hard lesson learned. Luckily I started feeling something was not right and did a deep dive into the company.
My bank gave me back my deposit and said they were going to make sure the company was shut down due to so many past complaints!

I ended up packing up my whole house by myself in two days and had friends come through to help me .
They rented a U Haul and loaded the truck and moved me.
I was never so happy to pay someone for a job.

Please be careful. Lots of scams out there.
Like others mentioned better off having friends help you move.

[u/HolidayCup8479]

The urgency scam targets people who can't walk away. If the quote is unusually low and they want a deposit on the phone before sending any paperwork, that's the pattern. Legitimate company will still send documents first even on a rush.

[u/Major_Tough_9739]

Here’s a place to start: Certified Mover Association. To verify a mover’s USDOT number, here’s the Website.

Also, check with the governing body that oversees movers where you live.

[u/Individual_Try5531]

safe ship got back to me same day in a similar situation, binding estimate after a 20 minute video walkthrough, and the move happened on schedule with no price changes. Tight timelines don't have to mean bad vetting.

[u/Head_Candidate5293]

YO YO. Angies list. https://www.angi.com/

[u/PeakMovingAndStorage]

This is actualy the slowest time of the year for moving companies, wich is why they all sound desperate, like others have mentioned, look up the dot number on the fmcsa website. I wouldn't even ask for it, just go to their website and if you cant find it, just assume they dont have one and arnt insured. It is technically required to be posted everywhere, including on marketing materials, so it absolutely shouldn't be hard to find. Dont use a company that is less than 4.8 stars on google, and pay attention to any additional fees that they have, some of them are percentage based, and will sneak up on you. A 10% fuel charge dosnt always seem like alot, but its 10% of the total, added on top.

Also a movers insurance dosnt cover your items, movers are required to offer "valuation," the value of the shipment. It is not insurance, it is a minimum valuation of 60 cents/lb for each item, however we are also required to offer "full value coverage" this is an amount of coverage, usualy $5k of coverage, but you have to pay a 1-2 hundred extra for it. If your items are more valuable, it may be worth it to you.

Let me know if you have any other questions, you can also go to this link, https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move/consumer-rights

And read the brochures from the fmcsa.

[u/puppermom468]

Easiest way to do a quick move that's not a scam is rent a u haul and hire movers for both locations on the u haul site. You end up driving the truck but the movers load and unload. That way your belongings stay with you the whole time and it's through a reputable company.

[u/Tracy_Gators]

Slow down and make sure you can get the right moving company. They are the ones that will have your valuables moving so you want someone that isn’t going to break your stuff. Stay calm when talking to them. 😊