Fighting Fraud
By Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland
May is National Moving Month, and Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) has tips for creating a stress-free move. Whether you’re moving out of an apartment to a home or vice versa, moving can bring its challenges.
Moving across town or the country requires time, patience, money and, most importantly, trust. According to BBB research, movers are among the top categories of companies searched on BBB.org, which has BBB Business Profiles on more than 13,000 moving-related companies.
“The average American moves approximately 11.7 times in their lifetime, ” According to Consumer Affairs. That means you need to find the right mover for you, and with spring here now, the launch of the moving season is upon us.
Check out our key tips to ensure you have a smooth move:
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Research movers thoroughly: Check the mover’s credentials at BBB.org. Also, note the length of time a company has been in business and read reviews from previous customers.
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Get everything in writing: Always read over your contract before signing it.
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Confirm credentials: Check the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) for reputable movers.
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Protect your belongings: What happens if your belongings are lost or stolen? Check with the company about their liability policies.
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Protect yourself: Along with BBB, visit ProtectYourMove.gov to learn your rights.
Following these tips can help prevent being scammed by fly-by-night movers or prevent your belongings from being held hostage.
Moving requires planning. Luckily, Better Business Bureau has an entire online headquarters dedicated to moving. What BBB’s Moving HQ includes:
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Hiring a mover you can trust
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Choosing the best option for your move
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Renting a storage unit
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Where to start when buying a home
Additionally, BBB has resources about avoiding moving scams and seeing the signs of a rental scam.
If you’ve been the victim of a moving scam, report it to the BBB Scam Tracker. Your report helps us build consumer awareness and reduce the effectiveness of scammers’ favorite tactics. Have additional questions? Reach out to your BBB at 216.241.7678 or [email protected].
