March 29, 2024

Avoid Moving SCAMS!

Posted on February 28, 2015 by in Financial

For seniors, selling their home and moving to a new retirement community can be physically and emotionally exhausting. On top of all the tasks associated with deciding what to keep or discard and relocating to a new home, the last thing they want to deal with is a potential moving scam.Mar2015CardboardBoxesW

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports that seniors are often targets of scams because they are considered to have accumulated savings over their lifetime, even though low-income older adults are also at risk.

From August 2012 to August 2013, the Better Business Bureau had 1.4 million inquiries and 9,000 complaints about moving companies. “Complaints to BBB about movers are primarily about damaged or lost goods, and final prices in excess of original estimates,” said Mallory Wojciechowski, spokesperson for BBB of Eastern North Carolina.

How can seniors avoid moving scams? The following tips should help.

• Step away from the Internet. Seniors are more susceptible to Internet fraud because they are slower to adopt new technology. Instead of relying on websites, ask around for suggestions. Chances are your neighbors may have used a reputable company that they can recommend.

• Ask local real estate agents. They know local movers, and will most likely know which ones have the best reputations.

• Vet the companies or have someone else vet them. Look at companies that have a physical location in your area and that have been in business for 10 years or more. According to Morgan Lamphere, director of sales and marketing at the SearStone continuing care retirement community in Cary, N.C., their future residents have access to the Moving Made Easy® program from Moving Station. “Moving Station prescreens van lines and only recommends respected companies, easing the minds of our future residents,” she said.

DownsizeBoxes• Ask for an in-home estimate. Move estimates are usually based on not only distance, but also the weight of the items being moved. Never accept estimates over the phone from companies that will not send a representative to your home. Seniors are often targeted for telephone scams because they make twice as many purchases over the phone as average Americans.

• Get in-home estimates from three different companies, and be suspicious of extremely low quotes. Disreputable movers often lowball the estimate but then tack on unreasonable charges at the end.

• If your move is interstate, ask the company for its U.S. Department of Transportation license and Motor Carrier number, and then verify it at www.protectyourmove.gov.

• Ask for references and take the time to call them. That way you can get a true evaluation from past customers.

• Don’t pay up front, and don’t pay cash. “Seniors are often perceived as easier to persuade, and are often asked to pay cash upfront for these types of services,” added Wojciechowski.

• Ask for pickup and delivery dates in writing.

• Ask for a bill of lading. This is a written contract that sets forth terms and conditions of your move, and is required for all intrastate and interstate moves. Read it carefully and keep a copy until the move is completed to your satisfaction.

• Take inventory of your items to be moved. Ask the movers to prepare a written inventory, or prepare your own. Take photos or video of your valuable property prior to the move so you will be better able to note any damage after shipment.

• Ask for the truck to be weighed. The company may trick you into thinking the truck is heavier than it is, and raise the price. Make sure you are only paying for what you need.

• Consider getting full-value protection. Investing in full-value protection means any lost or damaged articles will be repaired or replaced, or a cash settlement will be made to repair the item or replace it at current market value.

• Ask, ask, and ask. Don’t be afraid of bothering the workers. You have a right to know everything. You are paying good money for your belongings to be transferred and should ask as many questions as you need.

If you are not satisfied with the service you received after the move, let the company know as soon as possible. If needed, file a written complaint with the company no later than nine months after delivery.

For interstate moves, contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at 1-888-368-7238 or http://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov. Note, however, that FMCSA cannot resolve claims.

For complaints about intrastate moves, contact your state Attorney General’s office and lodge a complaint.

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