Better Business Bureau warns against moving scams

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – As people are packing up and moving out, scams are creeping in.

The Better Business Bureau of Idaho warns movers about potential traps they could fall into when hiring a moving company.

Since May is National Moving Month, the BBB especially wants to highlight unethical business practices and provide the best tips for a smooth move.

Rebecca Barr, BBB's Public Relations and Communications Manager, says there are many things that get overlooked in the moving process such as finding a quality moving company.

In 2021, the BBB recorded nearly 1,100 complaints against moving companies about damaged or missing items, being charged higher than the estimate price and late deliveries.

Barr says the most common scams involve charging a deposit and failing to show, the company claiming your items are over the weight limit and charging more, trucks failing to show up to the final destination and, in severe cases, hold the homeowners’ belongings hostage until they pay a bigger fee.

In the same year, according to the BBB Scam Tracker, consumers reported more than $730,000 was lost.

From the 27 million people who moved within 2020-2021, nearly 30% of scammer victims were between 20 to 29 years of age.

Barr highly advises movers to do extensive research before booking a moving company or broker, carefully check their credentials and read the paperwork closely.

Despite heavy research efforts, Barr recommends keeping sentimental and important items off the moving trucks and in personal cars to better guarantee the security of those items.

Barr says you can check the validity of moving companies through the Idaho Department of Transportation to find licensing and contact information.