These occur when a moving company refuses to deliver or unload a person\u2019s belongings unless they pay unexpected, additional fees.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf somebody is trying to do that to you, you don\u2019t have to put up with that,\u201d Mayes said in the Monday PSA<\/a>. You can call 911. Someone cannot hold your belongings hostage and demand that you pay more than you were quoted.\u201d<\/p>\n How do scammers take advantage of people moving to new home, apartment?<\/p>\n Not all fraudulent moving companies hold your belongings hostage. Some don\u2019t show up at all. No-show scams happen when a company takes your deposit and then disappears, never arriving on moving day.<\/p>\n To avoid this, don\u2019t pay cash or a large deposit before the move. Mayes said it\u2019s best to use a credit card because that way you\u2019ll have a measure of protection in case of a dispute.<\/p>\n Some scammers hit you with upcharges, billing your credit card for far more than the original quote.<\/p>\n Others provide a low estimate based on an expected weight, then claim your load is heavier than expected. They\u2019ll tack on extra fees, sometimes doubling the original price.<\/p>\n Here are some of the strategies Attorney General Mayes recommends to help protect yourself from moving scams like these.<\/p>\n Ways to avoid moving scams, according to Arizona attorney general<\/p>\n Doing a little research ahead of time can make a big difference. That includes checking a moving company\u2019s complaint history and reading customer reviews before signing a contract.<\/p>\n \u201cCheck out your movers, make sure you know who you\u2019re hiring, and make sure you\u2019ve got all those details fastened down before you hire somebody,\u201d Mayes said.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re moving across state lines, be sure to verify the company\u2019s U.S. Department of Transportation number, Mayes said. All interstate movers are required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).<\/p>\n You can confirm a mover\u2019s registration by visiting the FMCSA website<\/a> or by calling 202-385-2423.<\/p>\n Worried about moving scams? Watch for these red flags<\/p>\n People should also watch out for super low estimates, make sure they have proper insurance to cover potential damage and always be present during the move. Even if the company you\u2019re working with is trustworthy, they might leave important items behind by accident.<\/p>\n One big red flag is an extremely low estimate because some companies will give low estimates to lure in customers \u2014 only to demand more money later.<\/p>\n Another one of Mayes\u2019 top pieces of advice for avoiding moving scams is to mind paperwork. Thoroughly review any contract you sign, never put your name on blank or incomplete documents and get moving quotes in writing.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all stressed out when they\u2019re moving and these moving companies then take advantage of that stress,\u201d Mayes said.\u00a0\u201cThey can be as smooth as a roll of packing tape and pull one over on us.\u201d<\/p>\n We want to hear from you.<\/p>\n Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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