How to Avoid Moving Scams

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 37 million Americans -- some 13 percent of the population -- move each year, and thousands of them end up being victimized by unscrupulous and often unlicensed movers.

To help ensure that the first memories of your new home don't include getting shafted by movers, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA) are offering consumers advice on how to avoid moving scams.

The organizations say consumers can save themselves a lot of grief by heeding some basic rules, the most important ones being to know who you're hiring and to be aware of your rights.