Bellevue Police Warn Of Craigslist Moving Company Scam

BELLEVUE, WA — Bellevue police are warning of a scam targeting residents who seek out moving services on Craigslist. The police department said the latest scam has been reported around the Puget Sound area, with the culprits posing as a reputable moving company, complete with a business license, address and phone number.

However, once the "movers" arrive and load up the truck with valuables, police said they demand victims pay a ransom to return the items, quoting a price four to five times higher than the agreed-upon cost. In one such case, Bellevue investigators said a victim refused to pay and the scammers left with an estimated $40,000 worth of belongings.

To help avoid falling victim to a similar scam, police recommend residents:

• Hire a local company – avoid doing business solely over the internet
• Get at least three estimates – be suspicious of unusually low bids or estimates given over the phone or internet without someone inspecting the job in person.
• Verify credentials – confirm the moving company is permitted by the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). The UTC regulates residential moving companies conducting moves within Washington state. A moving company operating in Washington must have a valid UTC permit.
  • If you are moving in-state, check out Movers (wa.gov) https://www.utc.wa.gov/consumers/movers.
  • If you are moving across state lines, check the company's permit status with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/hhg/search.asp or call 1-800-637-0637.
• • Do your research – check out this article from Consumer Reports for more information on choosing a reliable moving company.