Are you pondering a move in the future? Join us for a webinar with the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM).
REGISTER HERE
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 1-2pm ET (10am PT, 11am MT, 12pm CT, 1pm ET, 2pm AT, 2:30pm NT)
CARP and CAM will sit down with special guests Move Coordinators Karen Bodoano and Lisa Ann Robinson, to discuss everything moving and answer your questions.
- Organizing, decluttering, getting estate in order, etc. BEFORE moving)
- Modifying lifestyle to fit your new situation (independent living, assisted living, long term care, empty nest home to a condo, etc.)
- Tips for families to help with the process
- Dealing with the emotion of moving – have a happy experience by reducing stress and being overwhelmed.
March is frauds and scams month in Canada.
What are moving scams?
The moving industry is unregulated, so anyone can be a mover. While moving scams have been around for a couple of decades, there was a meteoric rise in moving scams over the pandemic. Scammers were very aware that there was record breaking housing sales and not enough movers available to move folks, so they swooped in making ridiculous delivery promises that they had no intention of keeping. Scammers target the vulnerable populations who may not understand the complexity of moving which includes students, new Canadians, and unfortunately, older Canadians. The scams would vary, but in many cases, individuals would have agree with a company regarding cost, would have someone representing this company remove their items from their homes, and then have their possessions ‘taken hostage’ until a larger amount of money was given to that company.
Are moving scams a big issue in 2024?
Moving scams are down. We have seen moving scams targeting seniors on the decline in the past two years which CARP and The Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) believe is due to older Canadians and their families being more aware of the red flags indicating a moving scam and thus not hiring those companies. CAM’s purpose is “to further the interests of our members and help the buying public access credible, professional moving services.” CARP and CAM believe our strong advocacy campaigns have contributed to greater awareness of moving scams and their consequent decline.
What are the red flags to continue being aware of?
Nancy Irvine, President of Canadian Association for Movers, says, “Scams are still around and seniors, in particular, must be aware of the red flags. It’s always best to check with CAM to find a trusted and reliable mover.
She highlights these red flags for moving companies:
- Low ball pricing
- No promises in writing (so you can’t prove anything)
- Expectation of a large cash down payment (so you can’t stop payment)
- Company doesn’t have a street address that you can visit
- Company doesn’t provide last names of people you are dealing with
- Company won’t confirm what you are moving either in person or virtually, thus allowing them to bump up the price.
What else do I need to think about in terms of moving?
Many decisions in later life end up being reactive, instead of proactive. That is because it can be hard to know how the future will play out, particularly with respect to ageing and living arrangements. CARP surveys have indicated that over 94% of our members wish to age at home. But many issues can interrupt this wish, particularly when there has been little contingency planning.
For many, thinking about or talking about possible changes to come can feel stressful. But the reality is taking a step in the direction of planning for the future –even if simply starting to declutter, learning about topics like home accommodations, or considering what it might be like to downsize — will free up mental space.
Register for the free March 27 webinar.
