Centennial State News

(DENVER) – With many Coloradans using warmer weather as an opportunity to pack up their homes and move to another part of the state or a different part of the country, Attorney General Phil Weiser is alerting consumers (para leer la alerta en español, clic aquí) to watch out for scams and fraud related to moving.

“Moving is already a busy and stressful event, which creates easy opportunities for fraudsters to prey on consumers,” Weiser said. “I know people who, in looking for a better price, ended up paying a much higher one and ended up with a lot of aggravation because they were defrauded and treated unfairly.  To avoid such a fate, please do your homework first to ensure that you are working with a reputable provider.”

The Colorado Attorney General’s Office received over 110 complaints related to moving and moving companies in 2022. These complaints range from lost items and late deliveries to goods being “held hostage” over a surprise payment amount.

Being a smart mover can help you protect your stuff and your wallet. If you, a family member, or a friend are planning on moving this year, here are some tips to help make sure it goes smoothly:

• Once you know you’re moving, start researching companies as soon as possible. In addition to making sure you get a mover booked early since legitimate moving companies fill their spring and summer slots very quickly, it will help you spot potential red flags.
• Moving companies are required to meet certain standards to operate in Colorado. For in-state moves, visit the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to see whether the company you’re considering has a current permit. If you’re moving out of state, interstate moving companies are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and they are required to provide you with information detailing your rights as a consumer.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if a moving company has any complaints before hiring them. The BBB also provides accreditation to companies and allows you to search for only accredited moving companies. You may also want to search for complaints on other review platforms or for actions taken by law enforcement agencies.
• It’s a good best practice to talk to at least three different companies and ask them to provide you with written, in-home estimates of the cost of your move. Not only are quotes over the phone more likely to be inaccurate, but fraudulent or scam moving companies are much less likely to be willing to provide an in-person quote. Also, remember that the lowest estimate may end up being a low-ball offer, which could cost you more in the end.
• If a company threatens to hold your belongings hostage, contact local law enforcement immediately.

If you believe you’ve been the victim of a scam or fraud, or see suspicious activity from a moving company, report it to the Colorado Attorney General’s Office at stopfraudcolorado.gov.

Original source can be found here.