ST. LOUIS • The Better Business Bureau is warning about a network of moving companies the organization claims are scamming customers in St. Louis and across the country. 

There are at least four companies in the network that the business accreditation nonprofit claims have at some time used addresses in St. Louis or St. Louis County: Able Moving and Storage, Apex Moving and Storage, Downing Moving and Storage and Stout Moving and Storage.

Michelle L. Corey, St. Louis BBB president and CEO, described the operations in a news release as “one of the most predatory moving schemes ever encountered by this office.”

Complainants told BBB, according to the organization, that they typically requested residential moving bids online and were given a moving estimate and contract. But the company increased the charges — often dramatically — when the trucks arrived, according to the business bureau.

Consumers also said the companies delivered items weeks or months late and then refused to unload trucks until the company received the inflated fees.

Consumers also complained of difficulty reaching office staff, lack of refunds, and damaged or missing property, according to the business bureau.

The four companies did not respond to requests for comment Monday.

Read more about the Better Business Bureau's investigation into the moving scheme here and read tips from the bureau on hiring a mover.