How to Hire Movers and Avoid Moving Fraud

<p>Most moving companies are reputable businesses that do quality work. But some moving companies use fraudulent practices to steal your money. Learn how to spot moving fraud before it happens, or find out how to report it if a company has scammed you.</p><h3>Ways Some Moving Companies May Try to Cheat You </h3><p>Fraudulent movers may:</p><ul><li><p>Demand cash upfront before the move</p></li><li><p>Avoid giving you a written estimate</p></li><li><p>Ask you to sign a blank contract in advance</p></li><li><p>Only have one cell phone number as a contact and no local physical address</p></li><li><p>Show up to your house with a rental truck with no company logo on it</p></li><li><p>Give you a quote over the phone without any onsite inspection of your goods</p></li><li><p>Give you a low price and change the estimate substantially at your destination</p></li><li><p>Hold your belongings hostage until you pay more money</p></li></ul><h3>Report Moving Scams</h3><ul><li><p>If you have a dispute with a moving company and you can’t resolve it, <a href="http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move/handling-disputes">you can pursue arbitration or legal action</a>.</p></li><li><p>If you have an issue with a move across state lines, <a href="http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move/file-a-complaint">file a complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)</a>.</p></li><li><p>If you have a complaint about an intrastate move (a move within the boundaries of a state), contact your<a href="http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move/state-law-enforcement"> state or local regulatory authority</a>.</p></li><li><p>File a report using the <a href="http://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/">Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker</a>.</p></li></ul><h3>How to Hire a Mover and Protect Yourself</h3><p>Get tools from <a href="http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move">Protect Your Move</a> to help you protect yourself against moving fraud. Keep these tips in mind to avoid moving scams:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Get a company representative to come to your home for a realistic estimate of the move.</p></li><li><p>Get a written estimate from several movers. In general, estimates are based on time, the number of movers needed, who does the packing, and the number of rooms to be moved.</p></li><li><p>Verify that the company is insured in case your goods are damaged during the move.</p></li><li><p>Ask for the company’s U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number and <a href="http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/hhg/search.asp?">use the FMCSA database</a> to check if the company is registered.</p></li><li><p>Reach out to your local, county, or <a href="http://theblogbuster.com/state-consumer">state consumer affairs agency or state attorney general</a> to see if there is a complaint record.</p></li></ul><h4>Don’t</h4><ul><li><p>Don’t accept an estimate over the phone.</p></li><li><p>Don’t sign a blank contract.</p></li><li><p>Don’t pay for the move in advance or in cash.</p></li><li><p>Don’t let movers start packing your goods into the truck without reviewing the contract and estimate again. Do this before the move starts.</p></li></ul><h3>Get Help With International Moves</h3><p>Get tips and resources about moving to another country.</p><ul><li><p>Overseas moving estimates are based in part on how much space (cubic volume) your household goods occupy in a shipping container.</p></li><li><p>International moving may involve customs and import regulations. Learn more by contacting<a href="http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/consularnotification/ConsularNotificationandAccess.html"> the embassy or consulate of the country</a> you are relocating to. </p></li><li><p>Before selecting a mover, make sure the company has a<a href="http://www2.fmc.gov/oti/"> Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)</a> number. All legitimate international movers will have an FMC number.</p></li><li><p>You can file a complaint with the FMC’s <a href="http://www.fmc.gov/databases-services/consumer-affairs-dispute-resolution-services/">Office of Consumer Affairs & Dispute Resolution Services (CADRS)</a>.</p></li><li><p><a href="http://www.fmc.gov/resources-services/protect-your-international-move/">Learn more about international moves and how to protect yourself and your household belongings</a>.</p></li></ul>

<p>Scammers may offer to "help" you make your mortgage payments, but they’re just trying to take your money. Find out how to detect, report, and protect yourself against these scams.</p><h3>Foreclosure Schemes</h3><p>These scam operators find potential victims in several ways:</p><ul><li>Advertising (on radio, online, and in local publications)</li><li>Distributing flyers</li><li>Contacting people whose homes appear in the foreclosure notices in a local newspaper</li><li>Targeting specific religious or ethnic groups</li><li>Making promises to help you keep or sell your home, for a fee</li></ul><h3>Report Foreclosure Scams</h3><ul><li>File a complaint by contacting the <a href="http://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?pid=B">Federal Trade Commission (FTC)</a>.</li><li>If the scam involves bankruptcy, contact a <a href="http://www.justice.gov/ust/us-trustee-regions-and-offices">local U.S Trustee office</a>.</li></ul><h3>How to Protect Yourself from Foreclosure Scams</h3><p>Get reliable foreclosure help and counseling through the government's <a href="http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/">Making Home Affordable program</a>. Or <a href="http://apps.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm">find a government certified housing counselor</a> near you. <a href="http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/loans/prevention/rescue/images/foreclosurescam.pdf">Read more about foreclosure scams</a> and find phone numbers to call for help.</p><h4>Do</h4><p>Learn about your <a href="http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/need-help/need-help-options">legitimate government-approved mortgage and foreclosure help</a> options. Also be aware of these tricks that scammers use:</p><ul><li>Offering to act as a go-between with your lender or to negotiate with your lender to refinance your loan</li><li>Advising you that they can stop foreclosure by <a href="http://www.justice.gov/ust/consumer-information/bankruptcy-foreclosure-or-mortgage-rescue-scams">”helping” you file for bankruptcy</a>.</li><li>Encouraging you to sign fake foreclosure rescue or mortgage documents</li><li>Claiming that they can perform a <a href="http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0130-forensic-loan-audits">forensic mortgage loan audit</a> to help you hold onto your home</li><li>Offering you <a href="http://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/consumer-advisory-dont-fall-for-a-foreclosure-relief-scam-or-bogus-legal-help/">fake legal help</a></li></ul><h4>Don’t</h4><ul><li>Don’t fall for <a href="http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0100-mortgage-relief-scams">rent-to-buy schemes or other mortgage fraud schemes</a>.</li><li>Don’t send mortgage payments to any company that is not your loan servicer.</li><li>Don’t sign any documents without having them reviewed by a lawyer or independent expert.</li><li>Don’t stop making mortgage payments.</li><li>Don’t forget that <a href="http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/get-answers/get-answers-how-to-find-housing-counselor">real help from the government is always free</a>.</li><li>Don’t give anyone your personal information, Social Security number, or bank information. Only share this information if you've confirmed that the company is legitimate. </li></ul>

<p>Rental scams happen when either a property owner or potential tenant misrepresents themselves. Rental scams also misrepresent the terms and availability of a rental property. Fake ads and fake responses to rental ads can hurt both tenants and property owners.</p><h3>Scams Targeting Renters</h3><p>If you're searching for rental properties, it's important to learn about rental scams. </p><h4>Report Scams Targeting Renters</h4><p>Report a rental scam to your <a href="http://theblogbuster.com/state-consumer">state consumer protection</a> or local law enforcement.</p><p>If you found the rental ad online, report the scam to the website where it was posted. Also, file a report with the <a href="http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx">FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center</a>.</p><h3>How to Protect Yourself from Scams Targeting Renters</h3><p>Be suspicious that the property or transaction could be a scam if:</p><ul><li><p>The advertised price is much lower than that of similar properties.</p></li><li><p>Ads for the property have grammatical and spelling errors, or overuse capital letters.</p></li><li><p>The ad uses uncommon spellings of words, like "favour" instead of "favor."</p></li><li><p>You can only work with an agent. The agent says that the owner is too busy, out of the country, or otherwise unavailable to handle the rental.</p></li><li><p>The owner or agent requires you to sign the lease before you see the rental property.</p></li><li><p>The owner or agent isn't able to let you enter the home or apartment or charges you a fee to view it.</p></li><li><p>The owner or agent uses high-pressure sales tactics. They may urge you to rent quickly before someone else gets the property.</p></li></ul><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Learn the basics of <a href="http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0079-rental-listing-scams">how rental listing scams work</a>.</p></li><li><p>Get the terms of your rental in writing, including fees, rent, and maintenance.</p></li><li><p>Get a copy of the lease, signed by both you and the property owner/manager.</p></li><li><p>Do a search on the owner, real estate management company, and listing. If you find the same ad listed under a different name, that’s a clue it may be a scam.</p></li><li><p>Visit real estate websites. See if the home you want to rent is also listed in another city. A scammer could have copied the photo or description of another rental to use in their ad. </p></li><li><p><a href="http://www.housing.af.mil/portals/79/documents/AFD-130402-026.pdf">Learn how military families can avoid rental scams</a>.</p></li></ul><h4>Don’t</h4><ul><li><p>Don’t wire money as a deposit or payment for the first and last month's rent. Wiring money is the same as giving cash; you can't get a refund, even if you find out the offer was a fraud.</p></li><li><p>Don’t give in to high-pressure sales tactics.</p></li><li><p>Don’t pay a security deposit, fee, or first month’s rent before you’ve signed a lease.</p></li><li><p>Don’t rent a property that you are unable to see before signing the agreement.</p></li><li><p>Don’t send money for a rental overseas.</p></li><li><p>Don’t give your personal information or Social Security number to a property owner without verifying their identity.</p></li></ul><h3>Scams Targeting Rental Property Owners</h3><p>If you're offering a property for lease, it's important to be aware of renter's scams. </p><h4>Report Scams Targeting Property Owners</h4><p>If you feel that you’re the <a href="http://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/pressrel/press-releases/common-rental-and-real-estate-scams">victim of an renter’s scam</a> involving the internet, report it to the <a href="http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx">FBI</a>.</p><p><a href="http://theblogbuster.com/state-attorney-general">Contact your state attorney general’s office</a>. The office may explain your legal rights as a landlord. Also ask how to file a complaint against a renter or potential renter.</p><h3>How to Protect Yourself From Scams Targeting Property Owners</h3><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Search your renter’s name and email address to see if others have flagged them as a scammer.</p></li><li><p>Consider using a <a href="http://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/using-consumer-reports-what-landlords-need-know">tenant background check, also known as a consumer report</a>.</p></li><li><p>Learn more from the Federal Trade Commission about <a href="http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/business-blog/2016/11/screening-tenants-check-out-ftcs-new-guidance">legal background checks</a>.</p></li><li><p>Before renting your property, meet the prospective tenant or the person who will pay the rent.</p></li><li><p>Conduct an image search of your property. An imposter may use images of your property to create their own listings as part of a scam.</p></li><li><p>Request each renter’s personal references and follow up with those individuals.</p></li><li><p>Carefully verify your renter’s income.</p></li></ul><h4>Don’t</h4><ul><li><p>Don’t accept overpayment for rental properties.</p></li><li><p>If you receive a check that’s for more than the specified amount, return it. Do not deposit it. </p></li><li><p>Don’t rent or sell to a would-be tenant or buyer sight unseen.</p></li><li><p>Don’t accept a cashier’s check from your potential tenant if he or she is out of the country.</p></li><li><p>Don’t fall for an unexplained urgency to rent the property. </p></li></ul>

Housing Scams | USAGov

Get tools from to help you protect yourself against moving fraud. Keep these tips in mind to avoid moving scams:

Don’t

Get Help With International Moves

Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnGet tips and resources about moving to another country.

How to Protect Yourself from Foreclosure Scams

Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnGet reliable foreclosure help and counseling through the government's . Or near you. and find phone numbers to call for help.

Don’t

Rental Scams

Rental scams happen when either a property owner or potential tenant misrepresents themselves. Rental scams also misrepresent the terms and availability of a rental property. Fake ads and fake responses to rental ads can hurt both tenants and property owners.

Scams Targeting Renters

If you're searching for rental properties, it's important to learn about rental scams.

Report Scams Targeting Renters

Report a rental scam to your state consumer protection or local law enforcement.

If you found the rental ad online, report the scam to the website where it was posted. Also, file a report with the .

How to Protect Yourself from Scams Targeting Renters

Be suspicious that the property or transaction could be a scam if:

The advertised price is much lower than that of similar properties.
Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnAds for the property have grammatical and spelling errors, or overuse capital letters.
The ad uses uncommon spellings of words, like "favour" instead of "favor."
Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnYou can only work with an agent. The agent says that the owner is too busy, out of the country, or otherwise unavailable to handle the rental.
Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnThe owner or agent requires you to sign the lease before you see the rental property.
The owner or agent isn't able to let you enter the home or apartment or charges you a fee to view it.
Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnThe owner or agent uses high-pressure sales tactics. They may urge you to rent quickly before someone else gets the property.

Do

Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnLearn the basics of .
Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnGet the terms of your rental in writing, including fees, rent, and maintenance.
Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnGet a copy of the lease, signed by both you and the property owner/manager.
Do a search on the owner, real estate management company, and listing. If you find the same ad listed under a different name, that’s a clue it may be a scam.
Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnVisit real estate websites. See if the home you want to rent is also listed in another city. A scammer could have copied the photo or description of another rental to use in their ad.
.

Don’t

Don’t wire money as a deposit or payment for the first and last month's rent. Wiring money is the same as giving cash; you can't get a refund, even if you find out the offer was a fraud.
Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnDon’t give in to high-pressure sales tactics.
Don’t pay a security deposit, fee, or first month’s rent before you’ve signed a lease.
Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnDon’t rent a property that you are unable to see before signing the agreement.
Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnDon’t send money for a rental overseas.
Don’t give your personal information or Social Security number to a property owner without verifying their identity.

Scams Targeting Rental Property Owners

If you're offering a property for lease, it's important to be aware of renter's scams.

Report Scams Targeting Property Owners

If you feel that you’re the involving the internet, report it to the .

Contact your state attorney general’s officeXổ số trực tiếp 3 miền. The office may explain your legal rights as a landlord. Also ask how to file a complaint against a renter or potential renter.

How to Protect Yourself From Scams Targeting Property Owners

Do

Search your renter’s name and email address to see if others have flagged them as a scammer.
Consider using a .
Learn more from the Federal Trade Commission about .
Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnBefore renting your property, meet the prospective tenant or the person who will pay the rent.
Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnConduct an image search of your property. An imposter may use images of your property to create their own listings as part of a scam.
Request each renter’s personal references and follow up with those individuals.
Carefully verify your renter’s income.

Don’t

Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnDon’t accept overpayment for rental properties.
If you receive a check that’s for more than the specified amount, return it. Do not deposit it.
Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnDon’t rent or sell to a would-be tenant or buyer sight unseen.
Don’t accept a cashier’s check from your potential tenant if he or she is out of the country.
Xổ số trực tiếp 3 miềnDon’t fall for an unexplained urgency to rent the property.

Housing Scams

On This Page

How to Hire a Mover and Protect Yourself

Do

Don’t

Get Help With International Moves

How to Protect Yourself from Foreclosure Scams

Do

Don’t

Rental Scams

Scams Targeting Renters

Report Scams Targeting Renters

How to Protect Yourself from Scams Targeting Renters

Do

Don’t

Scams Targeting Rental Property Owners

Report Scams Targeting Property Owners

How to Protect Yourself From Scams Targeting Property Owners

Do

Don’t

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