Local moving company warns of 'rogue movers'

Local movers are warning about a growing problem in Bryan and College Station. They say "rogue movers," or movers without any state licenses, are setting up shop and breaking the law.

In Texas, moving companies are supposed to have a license from the state to operate.

"It's a crime in the State of Texas to perform a move without a license," said Dan Daniel, President of D&D Moving Storage. He's also on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Movers Association. Daniel

“As a 'rogue mover,' one of the things that they’ll do is rent a U-Haul or Penske truck," Daniel said. He said people have even tried to use his company's trucks for unlicensed moves. His advice includes finding a licensed mover, getting an estimate in person and insuring your valuables.

"To me, it's what value can I put on my client's stuff? I mean on a lot of cases that's their life," said Jeffrey Leatherwood. He uses moving companies regularly as a real estate broker with Beal Century 21 in College Station.

"The average house has got $50,000, $60,000 worth of belongings," said Leatherwood.

Ed Whitt of Bryan used a moving company to move his in-laws. He was surprised to learn there are problems with unlicensed movers in the Brazos Valley. Fortunately, he used reputable one.

"It might save you a few dollars, if everything goes right. If it doesn’t go well, you really run out of recourse," Whitt said.

"Just be careful. There's a lot of unscrupulous stuff out there," said Leatherwood.

To find out if a moving company is licensed or not you can check with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. We have more info attached in the related links section of this story.