How to Spot a Moving Scam

Almost everyone will move at least once in their lifetime - making the service that moving companies provide an essential one. Due to the demand for such a service, many people have exploited the need for a moving company by scamming consumers by holding belongings hostage or performing a bait and switch. When holding items hostage, a moving company will raise the cost of the move, contrary to the initial agreement and refuse to unload them if you don’t pay the new price. With a bait and switch scam consumers are generally given one price at the beginning of a move only to be told later that additional payments will be added to the final cost.

The first thing you should do when looking for a moving company is to research their Better Business Bureau rating, licenses and reviews. There are tons of companies out there but not all of them are legitimate. There are also several things you should look out before working with movers.

Extremely low quote.
This is undoubtedly the most commonly used strategy rogue movers employ to get customers to use their service. They’ll either post an extremely low price on their website or give you a really low quote when you call them up. Remember that you get what you pay for so if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

Lack of proper contact information on their website.
A lot of companies now have websites that allow customers to reach them faster. A common practice of most illegitimate movers is to not post their office address, phone number or name on the website or if they do it’s most likely a false one. Make sure you check the building or the office out before you confirm a move with them.

Asking for a overly large cash deposit.
Most legitimate movers don’t ask for a cash deposit so any amount requested in advance should make you wary already. The goods that you need moved serve as your deposit and you’re normally only required to pay moving companies once the job is done.

Know your rights and responsibilities.
Interstate movers are required by law to present you with your rights and responsibilities. If they don’t bother with this then you should ask them about it because a violation of a legal requirement and may indicate a scam.

Lack of a license.
Moving companies require a license to operate so make sure that the company has one. When you call them up, ask them about it and if they say they don’t have one or don’t need one then find another company.

Unmarked truck and no uniforms.
All decent moving companies will be more than happy to advertise their names on the highways. Be wary, if you see a moving company with a unmarked truck or movers that don’t have uniforms.

Make sure that you aren’t fooled by scammers and always be wary when you hire a new company. The cost of the move shouldn’t be the primary factor in choosing a moving company, it should be the quality of service and their reliability.