There are numerous ways to find and hire a moving company, the Internet, recommendations, and an online broker. All of these ways have there own pros and cons, but since the internet is the most popular way, there are scams that you should be aware of before you send any money. A moving broker essentially is a middleman, who helps a customer find a mover through an affiliated carrier or describes the logistics of your move online and moving companies bid for your move.
There are two popular scams these “brokers” are responsible for, first is called “hostage loads”. A “hostage loads” scam is when a customer receives an initial estimate through a broker that sounds very appealing and easy on the wallet. However, once your belongings are loaded on the truck, the moving company says the move will cost significantly higher and they will hold your items hostage until you pay the bill. The second scam is when a broker says he/she will set up a low priced move for you. The broker tells you how much the deposit is and what date the truck will be there to load, but on moving day no one shows up. The broker did not set up any move for you and has your deposit. Although not every online broker is a scammer, it is always a good idea to do your research, get recommendations, and even set up an “in home” estimate.