ByHow to Report Your Moving Company for Fraud
Most moving companies are respectable, licensed businesses that will get your stuff from Point A to Point B. However, moving is a time when people are especially vulnerable, and that always attracts predators. Fraudulent moving companies will use deception, stone-walling, and the desperation of being without your household goods to steal and defraud dozens to thousands of clients a year.
Some are pure criminals, posing as a moving company and just stealing outright. Others are more subtle, shaking down customers with bogus fees while your goods are loaded into their truck. Fortunately, you can and get back what the moving company tried to take from you.
If you have been overcharged, lied to, scammed, or stolen from by your moving company, DoNotPay is here to help. You have options, we make those options easy.
Types of Moving Company Fraud
There are many different types of moving fraud. Moving companies and fake movers, unfortunately, have more than a few options for scamming and shaking down their clients. This is why it's so important to find a reputable moving company you can trust so you don’t have to be bogged down with filing complaints.
Here are the many types of that you may encounter.
- Taking payment upfront and disappearing
- Movers don't do a site inspection, then charge extra for your house
- Demand a deposit before the move, then fail to return it
- Claiming to have license and insurance - and moving you uninsured
- Movers cause delays, then charge you for
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- Going outside your moving duration
- Item storage during delays
- Movers hold your goods hostage for extra fees
- Surprise fees at pack-up - not warning you before arrival
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- Furniture break-down
- Moving blanket rental
- Surprise Fees on Arrival - not surveying before delivery
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- Stairs and corners
- Narrow driveways
- Disappearing with your goods
What Can You Do if Your Moving Company Commits Fraud?
If your moving company commits fraud, your answer comes in a three-step process. We'd be lying if we said the process was simple, taking action is rarely as simple as you want it to be. But DoNotPay can help you simplify each step along the way.
- File an Official Complaint
The first step is to file an official complaint - with the moving company itself. This might work if you were defrauded by one bad mover or team in an otherwise reputable company. It also creates the first piece of your paper trail.
- Report the Moving Company
The second step is to report the moving company to the FMCSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. A mover is a motor carrier and is under the jurisdiction of the FMCSA.
- Send Demand Letters To the Moving Company
The third step is suing your movers in court. The FMCSA may level sanctions and fines, but to get your money back, you will likely need to send demand letters to the mover for fraud in small claims court. DoNotPay can simplify this process, as well.
How to File an Official Complaint With the Moving Company
- Write a clear and detailed letter of complaint
- Explain exactly what happened factually, in chronological order
- Write as if you are speaking to a neutral third party, a manager or lawyer of the fraudster
- Reference your exact moving service date, name, trip, and cost
- Include copies of the estimate, invoice, bill of lading, and relevant photos
- Make two copies, one for you and one for the company
- Mail one copy to the moving company by Certified Mail
- Creates an absolute record
- Require the recipient to sign for the letter, proving they received it
- Keep one copy for your records
A good moving company with one bad apple can solve your entire problem with internal resolution. The best possible result is that your movers' boss finds out and throws the switch on insurance and resolutions on your behalf. However (more likely), if you are dealing with a fraudulent moving company, this certified report merely creates an essential paper trail when you take further action.
Report Moving Fraud to the Authorities
There are two types of government agencies that will deal with a fraudulent moving company. The first is the FMCSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. They control which movers have a license along with leveling fines and sanctions. In other words, you can land your fraudulent movers in a lot of hot water and expense by reporting moving fraud to the FMCSA.
Additionally, each state also has an agency that oversees movers and licensing. You can report moving fraud on both the federal and state level.
You can also file your complaint with the BBB to lower the official reputation of movers who have committed fraud. This isn't just for you, it can also help other people avoid getting defrauded in the future.
In summary:
| Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration |
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| Movers Association by State |
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| The Better Business Bureau |
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How to Send Demand Letters To the Moving Company for Fraud and Damages
Reporting moving fraud may get your movers in trouble and can reverse certain damages, but it may not recoup all your losses from the initial fraud during a delicate transition in your life. If you need further repayment or to recover from the hardship caused by the moving fraud, you can take your movers to small claims court - anything under $20,000 - and send demand letters to them for the damages.
DoNotPay can help you build, file, and even write a script for your small claims case to get your stolen funds (or possessions!) back from fraud movers.
How to Resolve Movers Damaged Furniture With the Help of DoNotPay
When you have been targeted by , the paperwork is tremendous during a time when you're already living out of cardboard boxes and half-rebuilt furniture. DoNotPay can become your office, guide, and support during this challenging process.
We can help you draft and send complaint letters and can even help you prepare for small claims court so that the remedy to moving fraud doesn't have to take up an entire year of headaches and hardship. We can also help you check on renters insurance coverage.
How to File a Complaint Against a Moving Company Using DoNotPay
Whether it is a lost item or damaged furniture, nothing is too small. Just tell us about the moving fraud you experienced and we'll help you take care of the rest.
- Search for moving issues on DoNotPay.
- Start our Solve My Moving Issues product by telling us the name of the moving company you are having issues with.
- Answer some questions about your specific move, your moving company, and the complaint for which you'd like relief.
DoNotPay will write a letter to your moving company, detailing both your complaints and your demands for compensation and relief and warn against a lawsuit if those demands aren't met. If you don't get a response within two weeks, we can help you escalate to small claims court!
What Else Can DoNotPay Do?
Moving is a challenging time for anyone, and paperwork is often the biggest hassle when your home office is packed in boxes. DoNotPay is an essential service for anyone on the move.
From handling your mail and bills to compensating for moving fraud, we've got you covered.
Explore our many online tools to find more ways we can make your move and household transition that much easier.
- Insurance Claims
- Mailing as a Service
- File a Complaint Against Any Company
- Freedom of Information Act
- Find Lost Items
- City Repairs
- Compensation for Victims of Crime