Tips to Avoid a Moving Scam

Scams are quite prevalent within the moving industry. However, with some vigilance, you can prevent yourself from becoming just another victim of a moving scam. There have been several incidents in the past where moving companies have loaded and packed all the homeowner’s stuff and then demanded a higher price (sometimes almost double the amount that was originally quoted.) This is just one among the many examples of moving scams, which take place more often than one thinks. Here are some important tips to help you avoid a scam the next time you move.

Take only written quotes.
A quality moving company will conduct an in house moving estimate in order to determine the price of your move. Only after a detailed assessment of your belongings will movers be able to provide you with an exact quote for your job. Therefore, there should be no chance of increasing the price later and you won’t become a victim of a scam. Even if you do find yourself in such a situation, you’ll have proof in your hands if the case comes to court.

Visit the company office.
Pay a visit to the moving company’s office and get a clear view of their operational quality. Through this visit may gain strong signs about the authenticity of the company. Don’t think you’ll waste your time doing this – think of all your precious belongings and their value. A “wasted” afternoon may well be worth it - especially if you discover that they don't have a brick and mortar operation or that they are using a fake address.

Do not pay upfront.
Do not provide any money in advance to the moving company before your goods are delivered to your doorstep. Honest moving companies will always deliver on the scheduled day and accept payments only after the delivery is done. You must not provide any upfront payment because you have already deposited your valuable goods with them. Several moving scams take place only because the payments have been made earlier and the goods don’t reach the customer.

Find necessary references.
You must ask for references, to help you judge the moving agency. You should also refer to the American Moving and Storage Association or the Better Business Bureau and find out about the integrity of the company and see if there are any complaints against the company you are interested in working with.

Do your research.
Research is very important when you are looking for the right moving company. You must know if your chosen company has ever been involved in any moving scam till date. However, not all companies are involved in scams but you must try to uncover more than what they are telling you.

Moving away can be really hard. This process is made harder if you have to worry about unprofessional movers who could advantage of your mental state. Regardless of which moving company you choose, you must take look at their previous records, ask for written quotes and research their past customers. An educated consumer is a smart one.