The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 statistics show that Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties have gained more than 220,000 residents since the 2010 census. Lee County gained the most residents, with 140,000 arriving from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and other Northeastern states. Unfortunately, many of these families who contract with moving companies could become victims of unscrupulous brokers.

According to consumer protection agencies in Florida, unsuspecting customers who fill out a free moving estimate online could be taken advantage of by anyone with a truck.

Joe Pelletier, owner of Honest and True Moving in Naples, said he has seen it many times. His company advertises locally and obtains many customers by word of mouth. “If you plug your information in, and your phone rings off the hook—if the movers are calling you instead of you calling them—you’re a lead,” Pelletier says. “They (the website) just sold you for $5, $6 or $7.”

Pelletier’s best advice: “Get a referral from your real estate agent, a neighbor or a friend who has used the company before.”

Amy Cole of J.W. Cole & Sons Inc. in Fort Myers said she hears complaints about those lead-generating websites, known as moving brokers, all the time.

“The broker quotes a guaranteed price over the phone, you sign with them, then anybody and their brother with a truck can grab your information off a database,” she says. “A lot of times the trucks are not marked or they are rental trucks, leases. Everything seems great; they load your property, and that’s when you get the surprise: It weighs too much or takes up more space than you are allowed. You get a phone call that you have to pay more money before they can move you.”

Kelly Perry of Modern Movers in Lehigh Acres said it’s not easy to spot shady moving broker websites, but movers must register with federal and state agencies.

“Go to the U.S. Department of Transportation website (SAFER.fmcsa.dot.gov) to make sure the company is a legitimate interstate moving company,” Perry says.

She said anyone can buy your contact information and rent a truck that can carry only so much weight, say 8,000 pounds. “If your belongings weigh more than that, their trucks are too small,” Perry says. “That’s when they ask for more money.”

She also firmly suggested not giving a deposit premove.

“You never ever want to give a deposit, ever,” she says. “There’s no reason why a mover should have your worldly belongings and your cash at the same time. No money is due until they arrive at the destination. They collect the funds and they unload.”

Before settling on a company, seek multiple written, itemized estimates for the move. Know whether the estimate accounts for mileage, packing services and a dozen other potential add-ons. Smaller companies may not be bonded and insured; consumers should be certain their moving company carries those instruments, Perry said.

“Also, ask if their employees are covered under workman’s compensation,” she says. “That’s a big one; some of these little companies out here are paying cash to whomever they can find.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation also urges families to identify who, exactly, is moving their personal goods and family valuables. “Moving brokers are sales teams that book your move and sell it to an actual moving company,” the DOT says. “A broker does not assume responsibility for, and is not authorized to transport, your household goods.”

Again, the DOT suggests the public check to ensure the company is licensed through the federal agency.