By:  LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ.

These days, when layoffs are large and new jobs are scarce, you might be considering even moving away in order to take a new job in a different location.  So you search for movers on the internet, find the best deal out there (because a lot of new jobs these days aren’t covering relocation expenses) and pack up your belongings in time for moving day.  Once the movers get to your home, you’re rushed through the paperwork and all the boxes and furniture are loaded onto the truck.  … and then &*@ BAMB!  … something awful happens….   The movers tell you that the loading of your belongings took longer than originally estimated, or that your move required additional moving materials, or some other reason that the move is going to cost you MORE MONEY.  All this happens, of course, AFTER your worldly assets are already on the truck… 

Sound scary, right?  Well, it turns out this scenario is a real-life scam the FBI calls “moving fraud.”  In fact, the FBI reported that thousands of people were victimized in this fashion by 16 Florida-based moving companies.  Check out the FBI information page about it by clicking here.

Fraud is a crime.  If you’ve been a victim of moving fraud, or any other white collar crime, contact local law enforcement to make a complaint.  Also, contact an attorney to determine what legal options may be available either to recover your stolen possessions or seek money damages from the perpetrators.