Moving is already an arduous task to begin with. After finding a home, you’ll need to find a moving company to help you with packing, storing and–if you have elderly parents–senior moving. After everything you have to do, the last thing you need is to get scammed by your moving company. Unfortunately, moving company scams do happen to some homeowners, and in their panic they’re often at a loss for what to do next.
In this post, Busy Buddies, Inc., discusses the four things you should do next in the event you get scammed by a moving company.
Contact Law Enforcement – The first thing you should do when you’re scammed is to contact local law enforcement. Due to the illegal activity they committed, the moving company can be prosecuted, but before that can happen you need to file a report with the local police. If you have a “bill of lading” with the company, that makes the incident a civil matter, and if they’re stealing your goods, the police can immediately arrest them for theft.
Register the Scammers With the BBB and the FMSCA – The Better Business Bureau and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration both have websites where you can report any scam or moving fraud. You can help spread the word and prevent such an incident from happening to another unsuspecting family. To avoid moving scams in the future, hire senior move managers Busy Buddies, Inc, for a guaranteed job well done.
Report the Scam to the Local Media – While they can’t provide any legal action, reporting the incident to the media can aid in exposing the issue and spreading the word further. If an investigative reporting force covers the story, they could help resolve the problem faster.
Learn From the Incident – While hiring the cheapest moving company may be tempting, it could end up with you losing everything. Next time you plan to move, don’t neglect doing your research and becoming familiar with the signs that a moving company may not be as trustworthy as they seem. Ask them some questions, and if they refuse to answer, move on. Be overly cautious if you must, because you want to have the utmost confidence in your moving company.
Turn to Busy Buddies, Inc., for your moving needs. We’re your leading provider of downsizing help for seniors and decluttering home services. Give us a call at (703) 828-1833 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate. We serve clients in Fairfax, VA, and other areas in the state of Virginia.
