This interview posted above is from SDPB's daily public-affairs show, In the Moment, hosted by Lori Walsh.
May is National Moving Month and the Better Business Bureau is warning of scams. Students graduating and starting new jobs make this time of year the busiest for moving.
Jessie Schmidt is the South Dakota State Director of the Better Business Bureau. She says there are three common moving scam people should look out for.
- No show scam: A client pays for a moving service and the movers never arrive
- Overweight scam: A moving service loads a truck and demands extra money because the cargo weight is allegedly higher than anticipated.
- Disappearing scam: A moving truck filled with cargo is "lost" en route to its final destination. The scammers demand additional fees to get the moving truck to a client's new home.
Schmidt says these scams are not uncommon. "Just last week we had a woman who was moving to South Dakota. She got here and all her worldly possessions did not. So it happens more frequently that you would think."
Before hiring a moving company, Schmidt recommends investigating the company's history to see if previous complaints have been reported. Check moving.org to find a certified business and ensure that a moving company is legitimate. Clients are also encouraged to maintain a detailed inventory and file all records and receipts.
Additional moving recommendations can be found on bbb.org
