Experts warn against moving scams as rental leases begin
University of Missouri students are getting ready to move back to Columbia for the upcoming fall semester. However, students and their parents should be aware of potential scams that come along with moving.
Sean Spence, Regional Director at the Mid-Missouri Better Business Bureau, said the most common scam is being overcharged for services.
“They hold on to your stuff until you pay them,” he said. “That’s the power that movers have. They have your furniture, they have your valuables. If you have somebody that’s not trustworthy they can really take advantage of you.”
The BBB recommends getting price quotes from three moving companies before picking one for the job.
Spence said reliable companies will be insured and bonded and should be able to provide documentation to verify it.
“You don’t want someone moving something on a property that you’re renting and hurting themselves, and then you being stuck with a bill for healthcare costs,” he said. “You want to make sure that their bonded so that if they break your things they have a way to pay for them.”
Only three moving companies in the mid-Missouri area have had complaints filed against them, according to the Attorney General’s Office. The Better Business Bureau also keeps track of moving service complaints. You can look up businesses and services by city here.
Some may turn to Craigslist ads to find more affordable labor. While Spence said the BBB doesn’t recommend using the classified ad site, he said you can still double check who you’re hiring.
“We’ve all hired a couple strong guys we know to move us. You want to at least know that the people are trustworthy, so get some references on them. Get someone that has at least moved something before.”
The BBB recommends using a credit card to pay for moving services rather than a debit card or crash so it’s easier to get your money back if you are scammed.
