Better Business Bureau warns of moving scams as busy season begins

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- With May marking the start of the nation's busiest moving season, the Better Business Bureau is warning people about moving scams that can result in no-shows, unexpected price hikes or belongings held hostage for additional payment.

Lisa Schiller, BBB senior director of investigations and media relations, joined us on Monday, May 4 talk about some of the warning signs.

More than 21,280 inquiries about movers were made on BBB.org by Wisconsinites in 2025, and consumers who reported moving scams to BBB's Scam Tracker lost a median of $532, according to the organization.

The BBB recommends researching movers on BBB.org before hiring, getting all costs in writing, verifying that interstate movers have a DOT number and being cautious of companies that ask for large upfront payments or can't provide a physical address.