Consumer tip: How to avoid being scammed while moving

May is National Moving Month. It may be time to embark on an exciting new chapter in your life, but watch out for scammers. The Better Business Bureau reported an increase of more than 200% in monetary losses from moving scams last year. Sometimes consumers receive a quote and pay a deposit, but the movers never show up.

Another common scam is a moving company provides a quote based on expected weight and then charges an additional fee at a significantly higher rate, sometimes bringing the total up to twice the original quote. Worst of all, sometimes a consumer’s belongings are loaded onto a truck and they are held hostage, failing to arrive at the destination until the consumer pays more.

To avoid scams, make sure you are dealing with a legitimate business by checking reviews and getting recommendations. Make sure the company has an address, registration and insurance. Don’t pay the full amount up front and get all estimates in writing.

More information at marincountyda.org or 415-473-6495