An average of 60 complaints a year are received by The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission regarding moving companies for moves within the state. There are more than 200 moving companies registered in Washington. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which regulates companies that move between states, received 3,000 complaints about movers in 2005.

Jim Walker of Movingscam.com, said a consumer’s best defense is doing the necessary research early. His website offers information on how to hire moving companies and avoid scams. It also provides a forum for people to post information about questionable moving companies. “If you don’t do your homework up front and make sure the moving companies you are talking to are legitimate and reputable, and then you find yourself being scammed, there’s no recourse for consumers,” said Walker.

In the past year one of the Seattle moving companies paid a fine of $23,000 for violations that included incomplete paperwork and not printing the company’s permit number on its advertising. The agency has recommended that another moving company pay almost $70,000 for violations that include charging customers amounts that exceeded the estimate, said David Pratt, assistant director of consumer affairs for the utility commission.