Created by Tina Burgess, Illinois Commerce Commission, for consumer awareness presentations.

1. Consumer Awareness
When Moving
Presented by:
Illinois Commerce Commission
Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s 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 not’s)

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 mover’s 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
company’s 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 Warehousemen’s
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 Warehousemen’s
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