際際滷

際際滷Share a Scribd company logo

Choosing A Mover

P
Patricia McLaughlin

This document provides consumer awareness information for those moving, both within and outside of Illinois. It outlines how to recognize moving scams, how to find a licensed mover, what to do if scammed, and important tips. Scams are identified by lack of documentation, cash-only demands, and unlicensed movers. Consumers should obtain references, check licenses and complaints, and be wary of too-good-to-be-true prices. If scammed, contact authorities immediately. Moving interstate requires extra precautions like verifying federal licensing and watching out for hostage holding or bait-and-switch tactics. Key contacts are provided.

1 of 20
Download to read offline
Consumer Awareness When Moving Presented by: Illinois Commerce Commission Illinois Movers and Warehousemens Association www.icc.illinois.gov www.imawa.com
Consumer Awareness When Moving How to recognize a scam How to keep from being scammed What to do if you have been scammed How to find a licensed mover Moving out of state Finally (do nots)
How to recognize a scam No documentation No written estimate of charges Demanding cash up front Deposit on your credit card required Receipts for money written on pieces of paper or back of business card(s) Cheap estimate
How to recognize a scam The movers web site has no address and no information about their authority or insurance The mover claims all goods are covered by their insurance Offices and warehouse are in poor condition or non-existent The mover claims to have storage and the office is a store front
How to recognize a scam When you call the mover, the telephone is answered with a generic movers or moving company rather than a companys name The mover does not provide you with a consumer guide issued by the Illinois Commerce Commission
How to keep from being scammed Stay away from the internet Stay away from bulletin boards Find a mover in your local yellow pages (then check them out) Licensed movers are required by law to include their license number in advertising Interview at least 3 moving companies The local licensed movers know who is licensed and who is not
How to keep from being scammed Obtain references from friends Check complaints and license status on mover(s) you have chosen Complaints are filed with Illinois Commerce Commission Complaints are filed with Better Business Bureau Complaints (moves across state lines) can be filed at www.protectyourmove.gov
How to keep from being scammed Ask the mover to do an on-site estimate Ask about loss and damage Be suspicious of demanded tips If the price is too good to be true then it probably is Do not choose a mover solely on the cost
How to keep from being scammed Ask the mover for their Illinois Commerce Commission license number Call the Illinois Commerce Commission and make sure the license number provided is legitimate 1-(217)-782-6448
What to do if you have been scammed Immediately call the Illinois Commerce Commission 1 - (217) 782-6448 If theft is involved, call your local police department as soon as you know
How to find a licensed mover Go to www.icc.illinois.gov search under household goods movers for find a licensed household goods mover Call Illinois Movers and Warehousemens Association for recommendations 1-(888)-791-2516 Illinois Commerce Commission cannot recommend movers
How to find a licensed mover You may search your local yellow pages but follow up and make sure the mover is licensed by calling the Illinois Commerce Commission 1-(217) 782-6448
Moving out of state Buyer beware of internet leads Mover must be licensed by federal government U. S. Department of Transportation/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules govern U. S. Department of Transportation has 7-9 investigators for the entire U. S.
Moving out of state Before you move check federal license and complaints by calling toll free 1-(888) 368-7238 or visit www.protectyourmove.gov File complaints for out of state move at www.protectyourmove.gov or by calling toll free 1-(888) 368-7238
Moving out of state Call Illinois Commerce Commission for help 1-(217) 782-6448 Beware Stay away from the internet Price too good to be true? It probably is Beware when moving out of state; bad movers tend to hold goods hostage for more money Beware of delivery promises Beware of giving your credit card number for a deposit more
Moving out of state Beware If your move does not fill a truck the mover will hold your shipment until they have another move going in the same direction. Check delivery times and turn around times Beware of brokering a broker is not a mover brokers only set up moves with moving companies Brokering/bait & switch/holding goods hostage
Finally DO NOT put all of your worldly possessions in the hands of a mover without checking on the mover DO NOT put all of your nice furniture in the hands of a mover without checking on the mover DO NOT put your medicines in the hands of the mover
Finally DO NOT put nice jewelry in the hands of the mover DO NOT put cash or coins in the hands of the mover DO NOT leave your purses/wallets unattended on move day Anything you absolutely do not want lost or damaged DO NOT put in the hands of the mover
Contacts Illinois Commerce Commission 1-(217) 782-6448 www.icc.illinois.gov Illinois Movers and Warehousemens Association 217-585-2470; toll-free 1-(888) 791-2516 www.imawa.com U. S. Dept. of Transportation/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 1-(888) 368-7238 www.protectyourmove.gov
Contacts Illinois Commerce Commission Police Chief Odie Carpenter (217) 785-8432

More Related Content

Choosing A Mover

  • 1. Consumer Awareness When Moving Presented by: Illinois Commerce Commission Illinois Movers and Warehousemens Association www.icc.illinois.gov www.imawa.com
  • 2. Consumer Awareness When Moving How to recognize a scam How to keep from being scammed What to do if you have been scammed How to find a licensed mover Moving out of state Finally (do nots)
  • 3. How to recognize a scam No documentation No written estimate of charges Demanding cash up front Deposit on your credit card required Receipts for money written on pieces of paper or back of business card(s) Cheap estimate
  • 4. How to recognize a scam The movers web site has no address and no information about their authority or insurance The mover claims all goods are covered by their insurance Offices and warehouse are in poor condition or non-existent The mover claims to have storage and the office is a store front
  • 5. How to recognize a scam When you call the mover, the telephone is answered with a generic movers or moving company rather than a companys name The mover does not provide you with a consumer guide issued by the Illinois Commerce Commission
  • 6. How to keep from being scammed Stay away from the internet Stay away from bulletin boards Find a mover in your local yellow pages (then check them out) Licensed movers are required by law to include their license number in advertising Interview at least 3 moving companies The local licensed movers know who is licensed and who is not
  • 7. How to keep from being scammed Obtain references from friends Check complaints and license status on mover(s) you have chosen Complaints are filed with Illinois Commerce Commission Complaints are filed with Better Business Bureau Complaints (moves across state lines) can be filed at www.protectyourmove.gov
  • 8. How to keep from being scammed Ask the mover to do an on-site estimate Ask about loss and damage Be suspicious of demanded tips If the price is too good to be true then it probably is Do not choose a mover solely on the cost
  • 9. How to keep from being scammed Ask the mover for their Illinois Commerce Commission license number Call the Illinois Commerce Commission and make sure the license number provided is legitimate 1-(217)-782-6448
  • 10. What to do if you have been scammed Immediately call the Illinois Commerce Commission 1 - (217) 782-6448 If theft is involved, call your local police department as soon as you know
  • 11. How to find a licensed mover Go to www.icc.illinois.gov search under household goods movers for find a licensed household goods mover Call Illinois Movers and Warehousemens Association for recommendations 1-(888)-791-2516 Illinois Commerce Commission cannot recommend movers
  • 12. How to find a licensed mover You may search your local yellow pages but follow up and make sure the mover is licensed by calling the Illinois Commerce Commission 1-(217) 782-6448
  • 13. Moving out of state Buyer beware of internet leads Mover must be licensed by federal government U. S. Department of Transportation/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules govern U. S. Department of Transportation has 7-9 investigators for the entire U. S.
  • 14. Moving out of state Before you move check federal license and complaints by calling toll free 1-(888) 368-7238 or visit www.protectyourmove.gov File complaints for out of state move at www.protectyourmove.gov or by calling toll free 1-(888) 368-7238
  • 15. Moving out of state Call Illinois Commerce Commission for help 1-(217) 782-6448 Beware Stay away from the internet Price too good to be true? It probably is Beware when moving out of state; bad movers tend to hold goods hostage for more money Beware of delivery promises Beware of giving your credit card number for a deposit more
  • 16. Moving out of state Beware If your move does not fill a truck the mover will hold your shipment until they have another move going in the same direction. Check delivery times and turn around times Beware of brokering a broker is not a mover brokers only set up moves with moving companies Brokering/bait & switch/holding goods hostage
  • 17. Finally DO NOT put all of your worldly possessions in the hands of a mover without checking on the mover DO NOT put all of your nice furniture in the hands of a mover without checking on the mover DO NOT put your medicines in the hands of the mover
  • 18. Finally DO NOT put nice jewelry in the hands of the mover DO NOT put cash or coins in the hands of the mover DO NOT leave your purses/wallets unattended on move day Anything you absolutely do not want lost or damaged DO NOT put in the hands of the mover
  • 19. Contacts Illinois Commerce Commission 1-(217) 782-6448 www.icc.illinois.gov Illinois Movers and Warehousemens Association 217-585-2470; toll-free 1-(888) 791-2516 www.imawa.com U. S. Dept. of Transportation/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 1-(888) 368-7238 www.protectyourmove.gov
  • 20. Contacts Illinois Commerce Commission Police Chief Odie Carpenter (217) 785-8432