BBB Offers Advice on Avoiding Moving Scams

Online, May 13, 2010 (Newswire.com) - May is National Moving Month and marks the start of the busiest time of the year for relocation. More than 37 million Americans -- or about 13 percent -- move to a different home every year, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau statistics.

Unfortunately, every year, Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina receives extremely serious complaints from consumers who have fallen prey to dishonest and sometimes illegal moving companies. Following a few simple rules when looking for a mover will go a long way toward protecting you from being victimized by scammers this summer, advises Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA).

BBB received more than 8,400 complaints against movers in 2009. Complaints to BBB about movers are primarily about damaged or lost goods and final charges in excess of original estimates. In a common worst-case scenario, the moving company essentially holds the customer's belongings hostage and demands ridiculous amounts of money to unload the truck.

"Researching any company before doing business with it is a great habit to get into, and checking a mover's credentials is critical and easy. Last year alone, consumers relied on BBB more than 1 million times for finding a trustworthy mover," said Beverly Baskin, President and CEO of BBB serving Eastern North Carolina.

Carol Kimball Stahl, Director of the Transportation Rates Division of the Public Staff of the NC Utilities Commission, reminds consumers, "Knowledgeable customers who use legal movers are much more likely to have moves with less headaches than those who do not do their homework."

BBB and AMSA offer the following checklist for finding a trustworthy moving company:

•Research the Company with the help of these organizations:
o The North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) The NCUC regulates companies paid to move your home's contents over public highways within North Carolina, whether across town or across the state. This means that the maximum charges are determined by rates issued by the Utilities Commission. Check the Transportation section of the NCUC website for a list of legal movers and the Maximum Rate Tariff under which they operate: http://www.ncuc.net/consumer/ucconsum.htm.
o The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration All interstate movers must, at minimum, be licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and are assigned a motor carrier number you can verify at www.protectyourmove.gov.
o BBB.org Check the company's rating with your BBB. BBB maintains more than 17,000 reliability reports on movers across North America. Finding out about BBB and other customer's experience with the company can help you to make an educated decision.
o AMSA Does the moving company display the ProMover logo? This is a sign of a quality, professional mover which has pledged to abide by the AMSA's Code of Ethics. You can find a ProMover, or verify ProMover status at http://www.moving.org/.

•Get at Least Three Estimates. Interstate movers are required to make a premise visit to give estimates; intrastate movers are not. However, getting multiple estimates, whether in writing or over the phone, will give you a better understanding of what the move SHOULD cost. Also keep in mind that the lowest estimate can sometimes be an unrealistic low-ball offer which can cost you more in the end.

•Know Your Rights. Interstate moves are governed by the requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of the US Department of Transportation; a booklet must be given to you describing your rights and responsibilities during interstate moves. Intrastate movers must also provide a booklet: Moving in NC: Your Rights and Responsibilities. Federal and state governments establish these consumer education requirements in an attempt to ensure that customers make educated decisions. READ THE BOOKLET, and ask questions of the mover if you have any concerns. If you do not understand their answers, check with the FMCSA or the NCUC.

More tips and information on how to choose a mover and plan your move are available at AMSA's consumer website, www.moving.org, and the FMCSA (US DOT) website, www.protectyourmove.gov. To obtain a list of legal NC movers, check the NCUC website, http://www.ncuc.net/consumer/ucconsum.htm. To research a mover or find your nearest Better Business Bureau, visit www.bbb.org.