From time to time, moving horror stories hit the news. CAM posts these media stories to help educate consumers about the pitfalls and extreme tactics that the rogue element will use against uninformed consumers. It doesn't matter if it's in the USA or Canada, they scheme the same.

It truly is your responsibility to know who's moving you and all of your worldly possessions.

Here are a few of the more recent stories.

2024

• Nov 11, 2024 (CityNews - Toronto) - Just give me my stuff’: Whitby woman says movers took her cargo months ago but never delivered 

2023

• May 23, 2023 (CTV News Canada) - These are the tips on how to research and select a reliable moving company, according to the BBB
• May 15, 2023 (Tri-City News, Port Coquitlam, BC) - BBB: Take these steps to avoid a messy home move 
• Apr 20, 2023 (CTV News Regina) - Regina couple says movers lost or damaged 100k worth of items including cremated remains 
• Apr 4, 2023 (Chek News) - Victoria roommates’ belongings damaged or missing in moving truck crash
• Mar 31, 2023 (infoNews.ca) - Litigious B.C. movers lose in court after overcharging $2,300
• Feb 18, 2023 (Vernon News) - B.C. movers sue and win, but court still finds they overcharged
• Feb 11, 2023 (Vernon News) - B.C. mover sued after billing for 8 hours travel for 1 kilometre move

2022

• Nov 4, 2022 (CBC Marketplace) - Busting movers:  Inside the Police Raid 
• Nov 4, 2022 (CBC Marketplace news article) - Inside the police bust targeting movers accused of scamming customers 
• Sept 1, 2022 (Vernon News) - B.C. woman sues movers who overcharged, broke possessions - "In the last four years, the company has been in the small claims court 54 times."
• Fall 2022 - Various police services are now involved in the recent Toronto Police Service investigations into a group of Toronto-based moving scam operators. Read about the investigations, media stories and victim advice here. 
• July 1, 2022 (CBC News) - Video shows mover's truck smashing into man's car. But he's on the hook for $10K 

•  June 28, 2022 (CAM) - Canadian Association of Movers Warns of the Increase in Moving Scams.  “CAM has seen an increase in the number of incidents in which consumers are being victimized by rogue operations who call themselves movers,” says Nancy Irvine, President of the Canadian Association of Movers. “This trend has skyrocketed in the past few years, during the pandemic, with opportunistic, faceless scammers capitalizing on the new trend in which 90% of consumers go online to source their services,” she continues. Read the full press release below.

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  CAM warns of moving scams June 28 2022.pdf

• May 10, 2022 - Better Business Bureau warns of moving scams. The Better Business Bureau is telling people to be aware of moving scams in this short news clip from the Newfoundland Herald (May 5, 2022). And here's more from the BBB and CAM: Global News Canadians warned to be aware of fly-by-night moving companies . Here's a warning for Airdronians (May 17, 2022).
• Mar 4, 2022 - (CBC Marketplace) - Secret trackers and hidden cameras expose how some movers can be ripping you off 

• April 26, 2022 - Stuck in California, this McGill student paid movers to ship his stuff home. 2 years later, it's still missing
• Shippers, ASAP Moving and Transport and Canpar Express, say they can't find any trace of Randy Li's 21 boxes that contained thousands of dollars worth of valuable goods, even though each box had a unique tracking code. Here's the CBC Montreal News report.
• April 21, 2022 - Disappointed Winnipeggers urge caution when hiring a moving company
• Eight customers of Buff Moving and Storage say they scheduled the company to help them move, paid a deposit but received no services. Read the CBC News report here.
• April 14, 2022 - Toronto resident feels scammed after paying nearly $1,000 to movers.  A Toronto resident feels defrauded after her moving bill doubled during the moving process. The moving company, WeePack Movers, says the final invoice can sometimes be higher depending on the time and number of items involved. Police have been investigating a moving scam where a customer's belongings are held hostage in order to extort money. Check out the CityNews report here.

2021

• Dec 17, 2021 (CTV Calgary) - 'Lost the good memories': Calgary couple details 'horrible' experience with moving company  Understand your moving protection before you move!  A couple who moved to Calgary from Regina in the summer lost everything after a Canada’s Leading Van Lines (CLVL) truck  carrying their belongings caught fire during transport.  The couple claims the insurance company, Claimspro, was not cooperative and ultimately told them the moving company’s insurance wouldn’t cover the damage and loss and that they should file with their home insurance provider and still pay for their move upfront - even though the service didn't happen.    *update* March 3, 2022 - 'Lost the good memories': Calgary couple details 'horrible' experience with moving company.  Understand your moving protection before you move!
• December 6, 2021 (CityNews) - Toronto police issue warning of online moving scam
• October 8, 2021 -  (Regional Police Services)  Police would like to warn the public about concerns related to the hiring of companies to move you between properties.  There were five incidents in the Ajax/Pickering area in which police were called to a dispute between members of the public and employees of moving companies. In each instance, the citizen reported entering into a contact with a predetermined and written quoted price to complete the move of their possessions between properties. After their possessions were loaded on the moving truck the employees demanding additional funds to complete the move. The demand came with the threat to unload the truck where it was. In one case the citizen refused to pay the additional amount and their possessions were unloaded onto the parking lot of a gas station.  Consumers must always be vigilant when entering into a contract (may it be verbal or written). Ensure you fully understand the meaning of the contract wording and determine the true cost before signing. Moving residences is stressful enough.  The Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services provides consumer protection tips and file complainants at https://www.ontario.ca/page/hiring-mover.  See the original press release here.

• May 17, 2021  (BBB Press Release) - Relocating from West to East? Beware of moving scams. In 2020, an unprecedented number of moving scams surfaced. The COVID-19 pandemic brought many challenges as movers couldn’t go into homes to verify shipment sizes - and scammers have used this to their advantage. Fraudulent moving companies have been identified and are purposely underestimating moving quotes for consumers who were inquiring online or by phone. These scams are particularly prevalent in cross-provincial moves from Ontario to the Atlantic Provinces. Read more below.

• May 14, 2021 - (Calgary Real Estate News) - Moving month: how to choose a mover and avoid common scams. Liam McQuillan, general manager of BBB-accredited Highland Moving and Storage in Calgary, says it’s been an unusual year for the industry. He warns that “anybody with a truck” can post an ad on Kijiji and give a cheap moving estimate without even seeing your goods. That often means damaged or missing goods and zero accountability from the “mover,” or seeing an $800 quoted price balloon to $2,400 before delivery.
• May 12, 2021 - (DiscoverAirdrie.com) - Don't be left in the dark while finding a reliable mover. May is Moving Month and the Better Business Bureau wants to make sure you're not left in the dark when it comes to finding a reputable mover. "We urge consumers to do their due diligence before hiring a mover," said president of the Canadian Association of Movers Nancy Irvine. "When trusting all of your belongings to someone, it’s worth doing the background work by researching your mover to avoid future heartache."
• May 9, 2021 - (WHNT News19) posted National Moving Month: Hire A Professional Mover You Can Trust. The Better Business Bureau offers tips on preparing for a move, finding a trustworthy moving company, and avoiding scams.
• Apr 27, 2021 (Winnipeg Free Press) - New scam creates nightmares. CAM is seeing increased reports of illegitimate moving companies with shady practices. On national moving month this May, they and the Better Business Bureau want to help consumers stay safe as we kick off the busiest moving season of the year. One common scam involves companies low-balling customers with a price, only to jack it up once the customer’s belongings are already loaded. 
• April 9, 2021 - CAM Member Target of Fake Google Reviews: Nibia Movers, a reputable CAM member located in Calgary, AB, is being victimized by fake google reviews. Always check with the BBB and CAM to get accurate reputation information and to verify the credentials of your mover before hiring them.
• March 26, 2021 - Identity Fraud: A local organization in the Bradford, ON area is representing themselves as Bradford Moving & Storage which is a reputable CAM member.  Always verify the credentials of your mover before hiring them.
• Mar 8, 2021 (CBC News) - Sudbury police investigating complaint about alleged scam involving movers. 

• Mar 4, 2021 (The Sudbury Star) -  Sudbury police warn of moving company scams. "Whether you are moving across town or across province, choosing a mover should not be taken lightly, police said. Finding a trusted and reliable mover is even more important, however, during the current COVID-19 pandemic." 
• Jan 11, 2021 (Listowel Banner) - Fraudulent moving company rips woman off for $500, leaves her stranded in Listowel. This consumer got scammed for $500 by Triple Star Movers Inc. and had to sleep in her pickup truck while keeping an eye on all her belongings at the side of the road. 
• Jan 4, 2021 (CBC Nova Scotia) - These customers were promised shipping containers. Now they're out thousands of dollars. The two companies identified in the article are Box Containers LLC and BigMax Containers. (January 4, 2021)

If you are still not convinced that you need to research your mover, then read more here ... there are years of stories to be told!

Be sure!  To find a trusted and reliable mover, click here.