Behind the boxes and bubble wrap lurks a $2.2 million criminal industry—and this episode dives into the chilling real-life story of a moving scam and the five red flags every first-time buyer must know. It sounds like a crime show plot: a young woman hires a moving company, only to be threatened with her belongings being dumped in the Arizona desert unless she wires thousands more. But this isn’t fiction. Mariette Frye, moving expert and victim-turned-advocate, returns to reveal the dark underworld of moving scams—from burner phones and fake paperwork to stolen heirlooms and hijacked semis. First-time buyers will learn exactly how these crimes work and what they can do to protect themselves from becoming the next victims.

"You're going to need to wire us $3,000 more, or we're going to drop your stuff off in Yuma, Arizona at the weigh station."​ - Mariette's Moving True Crime Story (It involves the FBI)

Highlights

• How Mariette's cross-country move turned into an extortion attempt—and how a federal agent stepped in.
• The single biggest red flag that you're dealing with a scam: a quote that seems too cheap to be real.
• Why using broker sites can expose your personal info to scam networks—and what to do instead.
• How to verify a mover’s legitimacy using a federal mover database the scammers hope you don’t find.
• What to do on moving day: photographing license plates, getting DOT numbers, and taking selfies for protection.
• The disturbing truth behind shared moving trucks, missing valuables, and staged box repacking.
• When to call the police and file a federal claim—and how to create a paper trail scammers can’t outrun.

Referenced Episodes / Resources

• Episode 94 – Real Estate Terms & Definitions
• Episode 301 – 10 Basic Steps for First-Time Buyers
• ProtectYourMove.gov – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s official database for vetting movers.
• Mariette Frye
• Website: DecidingToMove.com
• Podcast: Moving Tips and Tricks for People Considering a Relocation
• Social: @mariettesonthemove on all platforms

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David Sidoni, the "How to Buy a Home Guy," is a seasoned real estate professional and consumer advocate with two decades of experience helping first-time homebuyers navigate the real estate market. His podcast, "How to Buy a Home," is a trusted resource for anyone looking to buy their first home. It offers expert advice, actionable tips, and inspiring stories from real first-time homebuyers. With a focus on making the home-buying process accessible and understandable, David breaks down complex topics into easy-to-follow steps, covering everything from budgeting and financing to finding the right home and making an offer.

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