Background
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The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has issued official warnings regarding what it calls "Rogue Movers." These con artists scam innocent consumers into hiring them and then hold the moved possessions hostage while extorting ridiculous fees to unload their trucks. This article offers 4 keys to avoiding the scams.

4 Keys to Avoiding the Scams
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There are 3 critical steps to protect yourself from "rogue movers" on your next relocation:

== Step 1: Check the mover's reputation at ProtectYourMove.gov. ==

The U.S. Department of Transportation is the agency in charge of regulating interstate movers, taking it over from the Interstate Commerce Commission in 1995. The DOT has created a website dedicated to protecting individuals from moving scams. That site is ProtectYourMove.com, and has a variety of different resources, including a way to check for a mover's registration and to investigate rogue movers. Always investigate your moving company before agreeing to use them.

== Step 2: Watch out for the DOT's "red flags." ==

The Department of Transportation provides a list of potential warning signs. Be aware of the list and see if your movers indicate any of the following:

• The mover doesn't offer or agree to an on-site inspection of your household goods and gives an estimate over the phone or Internet-sight-unseen. These estimates often sound too good-to-be-true. They usually are.

• The moving company demands cash or a large deposit before the move.

• The mover doesn't provide you with a copy of "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move," a booklet movers are required by Federal regulations to supply to their customers in the planning stages of interstate moves.

• The company's Web site has no local address and no information about licensing or insurance.

• The mover claims all goods are covered by their insurance.

• When you call the mover, the telephone is answered with a generic "Movers" or "Moving company," rather than the company's name.

• Offices and warehouse are in poor condition or nonexistent.

• On moving day, a rental truck arrives rather than a company-owned and marked fleet truck.

== Step 3: Ask for, and confirm, at least 3 references. ==

Sometimes the most obvious steps are the ones we miss. People are used to asking for references from job candidates. So why wouldn't you ask for, and confirm, 3 references from the past 30 days for "employees" who will be moving your most valuable treasures? If the movers stall or delay in providing this information, or if the references don't check out, immediately take those movers off your list of potential "hires."

== Step 4: Trust your instincts and be willing to walk away. ==

There are certain times in life when we all feel that something "just isn't right" about a situation. And in most cases we disregard that feeling and just move on. In the case of movers and moving companies, you should be very aware of those feelings, and be willing to walk away from the situation if you feel uncomfortable. You may feel a bit silly or embarrassed in the moment, but you might just save yourself endless anguish and a lot of money in the end.

If you take the time to follow these basic steps, you're much more likely to hire the type of movers you want and deserve.  T. Scott Clendaniel