SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | JUNE 23, 2019
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Ready to move? Now is the time to be wary, AG advises AFN NEWS STAFF
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o, you’ve bought a new home and are ready to move — meaning you may be exposing yourself to one of the more frequent scams around, according to state Attorney General Mark Brnovich. He’s warning people that besides being stressful, moving can make people a victim of scams that “can result in lost or damaged possessions, hundreds or even thousands of dollars in ‘extra’ fees, and hours/days of wasted time. “Moving is stressful enough and Arizonans should be able to trust a moving company with their most valuable possessions,” said. “Arizona consumers need to be wary of moving scams and know their rights.” Moving scams can include false advertising, undisclosed fees, possessions being “held hostage,” and low-ball prices. Some movers will quote a low price, load all of a consumer’s household goods, and then refuse to unload the goods until the consumer pays a higher price. The “hostage loads” are “illegal and put consumers in an impossible position of either paying a scammer or risking the loss of their possessions,” Brnovich’s of�ice
said in a release, noting movers must accurately disclose information about fees, charges and insurance before loading. The law “also prohibits movers from adding additional costs on the back end and refusing to deliver goods unless they provided consumers with an upfront, written estimate and the consumer has not paid that previously agreed upon amount,” the AG said/. But that doesn’t mean customers have
no worries. He advises people who are moving to follow these tips: Thoroughly research moving companies. Before hiring a company, check on a business’s complaint history and reputation with organizations like the Better Business Bureau. Start your research early. Read online reviews. Check mover’s registration with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administra-
tion and have a U.S. DOT number. Arizona has no registration or professional licensing requirements for movers. Beware of extremely low estimates. Dishonest moving companies will lowball estimates and then illegally demand more before loading the truck. Ask about charges or additional fees. Moving companies may charge additional fees for travel time, packing materials, stairs or gas, and/or have minimum charges. Get a detailed, upfront and written estimate. Move valuable items separately by yourself. Have proper insurance. Most moving insurance is based upon weight and not the value of your goods, so expensive heavy items may not have enough basic coverage if damaged in the move. Most insurance companies will require you to purchase additional insurance if you want to cover the cost of any mishaps beyond the basic level of coverage. Read the insurance coverage and ask questions before signing any contract. If a company holds goods hostage, call police and call the AG at 602-542-5763.