Beware of Rogue Movers: Domain Deception

Rogue Movers
The U.S. Moving Protection Organization provides a free marketplace connecting consumers with verified moving companies, with an emphasis on payment protection—ensuring that your items are delivered on time, safely, and affordably. By increasing transparency and holding movers accountable, the U.S. Moving Protection Organization aims to create a safer moving experience for all. Consumers deserve honesty, fair pricing, and the confidence that their belongings will arrive intact and on time.

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When planning a move, the last thing you want to deal with is being scammed by rogue movers. These deceitful companies use recognizable brand names to trick customers into booking their services, leading to financial loss and considerable stress. In this article, we will explore how rogue movers operate, provide tips on how to identify them, and offer advice on what to do if you fall victim to these scams.

Understanding Rogue Movers

Rogue movers are unscrupulous companies that pose as reputable moving services by using well-known brand names and logos. They lure customers with attractive deals and promises of professional service, only to disappear with their money or deliver substandard services. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), these rogue operators often demand large deposits upfront, significantly increase prices after loading goods, and may even hold belongings hostage until an exorbitant fee is paid.

How Rogue Movers Operate

Rogue movers deploy various tactics to deceive customers. They often create professional-looking websites, complete with almost identical logos and fake reviews, to gain trust. They advertise heavily on social media and other platforms, offering prices that are much lower than the market rate. Once a customer contacts them, they provide an initial quote that seems reasonable. However, the problems start once the move is underway.

  • Low Initial Quotes: Rogue movers attract customers with very low initial quotes, which they then inflate with hidden fees once the move is in progress.

  • Demand for Large Deposits: They often require large deposits upfront, which is a red flag. Reputable moving companies typically ask for a reasonable deposit or none at all.

  • Holding Goods Hostage: After loading your belongings, rogue movers may demand a significantly higher price and refuse to deliver until the inflated fee is paid.

  • Poor or No Delivery: In some cases, they may not deliver your belongings at all, leaving you without your possessions and out of pocket.

Inside Look Into A Rogue Mover Operation

The video above is an inside investigation of a fraudulent moving operation. Its purpose is to raise consumer awareness about moving scams and the red flags to identify. The U.S. Moving Protection Organization conducts investigative reporting to aid the FMCSA in their data collection efforts and eliminate deceptive practices within the moving industry. 

0:04: “Its Luis with Armstrong”. Armstrong is a recognizable brand with a solid reputation in the moving industry. This is not the original Armstrong. Rogue movers can use an existing brands reputation to deceive customers into trusting them.

0:38: Customer expresses their concern, “What happens if my house doesn’t close? Do I get my money back?” …without a clear policy, the sales rep evades the question by saying “We’re not in the business of taking anybody’s money. You can always change your dates, that’s no worries”…

01:00: Customer tries to be more clear with the question. “What if I don’t move period? Will I get my money back?”… The sales rep continues to vaguely answer the question with an evasion technique, “You can just call us back, we’ll take care of it for you.”

1:30: When the sales rep flat out lies, our investigator steps in and calls out the lie…the sales process proceeds.

2:26: Asking for a large reservation deposit of “Only $2,400” is a clear indicator of a red flag. This is over 40% of the total move cost. Movers that are confident in their service should require a minimal deposit.

2:50: Our investigator shocked at the price of a full box truck being promised to the customer for much lower than the market price. Calculations aren’t even being done on the computer, with zero reference to legitimate tariffs, checking of availability, or rates.

3:54: Arbitrary discounts are given to further lure in the customer into making an impulse decision

5:43: Customer asks to pay with a credit card. Rogue movers will often evade this request by saying it incurs a large processing fee and recommends the customer to send a check instead to avoid the fee. Sending a check to a service provider is difficult to reverse and this is why they push for this method of payment. Avoid Zelle, Cashapp, Venmo, Paypal, and wire transfers. Legitimate movers should accept credit card.

6:52: Customer is asking to see the contract before he sends over the payment. Seller overcomes it by saying “we send a receipt after we receive payment”. Sales process continues

7:17: Overcoming the objection of delivery date. Customer asks when their items will be delivered. The sales rep evades the questions by saying “its going to be a straight shot, no worries”.

8:10: “You don’t have anything signed?” “F that, we run the payment then we send it”

9:38: Seller realizes he’s being recorded. Sales process continues.

10:03: Seller receives a photo of a check straight to his cell phone. Still nothing sent. Customer is still asking for contract. At this point the recording stops and there is an intervention.

The Tactics of Rogue Movers: Domain Deception

Armstrong Rogue Movers

A quick keyword search on the FMCSA’s database reveals more than 100 companies registered with the brand name “Armstrong”. This can make it difficult for customers to properly do their research on a company. 

These days, it’s easier than ever to open an online business. Without even registering a business, individuals can simply purchase a domain name, add stock images, fabricate a few reviews, and get a phone number. The bare minimum effort makes it seem like the operation is legitimate. With a website in place, all that’s left to do is run a few ads to generate leads, or buy them from a third-party lead generation site.

Unfortunately, many shippers are not savvy enough to do the proper research and due diligence before deciding on a company. Even if they are savvy, with the pressure tactics of a veteran sales rep, coupled with the added stresses and urgency associated with the moving process, shippers are easily deceived into paying a reservation deposit without knowing who’s actually going to show up for their move.

This is what’s called a rogue mover. Quick websites that are made for brands that won’t last. Generally made to take advantage of a peak season. By the time they’re in business for about a year, they’ve compiled too many negative reviews to continue making business… so they repeat the process. Rinse and repeat.

What’s worse is that these rogue movers can easily leech onto the reputation of an existing brand’s reputation to deceptively earn the trust of a customer. For example, a rogue mover trying to take advantage of Atlas Van Lines’ reputation can easily buy the domain atlasmovingsystems.com or atlasmovingservices.com and make a similar logo. It happens all the time, and sometimes it’s even hard to tell which website is the original. They are like pirates, exploiting trust and causing chaos.

Identifying Rogue Movers

To protect yourself from falling victim to rogue movers, it’s essential to recognize the warning signs. Here are some key indicators:

  1. Unrealistically Low Estimates: If a quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. Compare multiple quotes and be wary of those significantly lower than others. 

  2. Lack of Credentials: Verify the company’s credentials. Legitimate movers should have a valid U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number, which you can check on the FMCSA website.

  3. No Physical Address: Be cautious of companies that do not provide a physical address or have vague contact details.

  4. Negative Reviews and Complaints: Research the company online. Check reviews on platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and look for any complaints about scams or poor service.

  5. High Pressure Tactics: Be wary of movers who pressure you into booking quickly or demand large deposits. Always pay a reservation deposit with credit card.

What to Do If Scammed by Rogue Movers

If you find yourself a victim of a rogue mover, take immediate action to mitigate the damage:

  1. Report the Fraud: File a complaint with the FMCSA on their National Consumer Complaint Database.  You can also report the scam to the BBB and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) .

  2. Contact Your Bank: If you made payments, contact your bank to dispute the charges and report the fraud.

  3. Gather Evidence: Document all communications, receipts, and any other relevant information to support your case.

  4. Contact the USMPO: With little jurisdiction from the FMCSA to enforce regulations, it can be a long and lengthy process for justice to be served. If a mover is unresponsive to resolve your claims, the best way to get their attention is to share your story. Shippers are encouraged to contact the USMPO to report their story. We can create awareness and publish articles around the incident to mitigate other consumers from choosing the moving company. 

Prevention Tips

To avoid falling victim to rogue movers, consider the following preventive measures:

  • Use a USMPO verified mover: We’ve done the research of thoroughly vetting the carriers in our network. Search our directory to find carriers in your state and review their profiles to see company rating, complaint history, and background information. You can learn more about our rating process here.

  • Get Multiple Quotes: Don’t rush your decision. Obtain quotes from at least three different carriers and compare their estimates and terms. 

  • Avoid Large Deposits: Reputable movers usually require a small deposit or no deposit at all. Be cautious of companies demanding large upfront payments. Always pay with a credit card.

  • Look for Branded Photos: When reviewing companies, make sure that  their are photos of trucks with company branding and laborers in uniform. Avoid vague websites with stock photos. 

  • Check Insurance Coverage: Verify that the moving company offers adequate insurance coverage for your belongings.

In Conclusion

Rogue movers pose a significant threat to consumers, using deceitful tactics to exploit those seeking moving services. By understanding how they operate, recognizing the warning signs, and taking preventive measures, you can protect yourself from these scams. Always research thoroughly, seek reputable companies, and stay vigilant to ensure a smooth and secure moving experience. 

If you are starting your interstate moving process, we invite you to start your journey with a free virtual survey.  Take one accurate inventory of your items, document move size and condition, and use it to gather multiple quotes from our database of verified movers. 

For more information on identifying and avoiding moving scams, visit FMCSA’s Moving Fraud Protection Program. Stay informed and stay safe!

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