The last thing someone who is already stressed out about a fast-approaching moving date wants to know is that there could be scams involved in the process. If you really think about it, the fact that you’re trusting one or multiple companies with all of the items in your house, having them transport everything and have it in their possession for a chunk of time only makes it likely that some scams could be snuck in.
Also, there’s the matter of money, price estimates, and the concern of advance deposits too. Moving scams come in many shapes and sizes, but ultimately they either rip you off financially or cause damages in some other form. You don’t need to worry yourself into an anxiety attack because we’ve got you covered. We’re going to walk you through ten common moving scams and also what you can do to avoid them.
1. The moving company’s identity is sketchy.
This is the first indication of a scam and something you should look into immediately. Moving companies aren’t casual part-time businesses. These are licensed, registered, and certified workers that curate moving experiences. If a moving company doesn’t have a name to identify themselves, that means that they don’t really exist on the market yet. You need to be able to look up a moving company online, and without a name, that’s just not possible.
2. Their bids are too good to be true.
Look, everyone wants to save as much as they can during a move, but with the fact that moving involves labor, fuel, and other equipment to execute, it being expensive is a given. If a moving company is giving you a bid or an estimate that is significantly lower than the prices their counterparts are offering, this means that something is amiss. Lowball estimates are a really common scam, and you can counter them by asking for quotes from other companies.
3. They’re pressing you for a deposit in advance.
Since moving is a pretty straightforward process, moving companies don’t usually ask for a deposit beforehand. If the moving company you’re considering hiring is continuously asking you for a deposit, and a big one at that, you have to stay alert. The most efficient way to make sure you’re not being scammed is to pay through your card and not cash. This way, you can provide proof of the payment in case things go south.
4. Their miscellaneous charges are through the roof.
When looking at a contract for payment while hiring a moving company, if a lot of undetailed costs are popping up, you need to look into it. Sometimes, moving companies scam customers by including extra charges and unexplained costs in the fine print. These later add up to make a hefty bill. Counter this by discussing each aspect of cost in the contract and catching add-ons while you do that.
5. They’re hesitant about insurance.
Moving comes with a lot of unexpected and unpredictable facets, and sometimes damage and loss are inevitable. This is why having an insurance policy in place to compensate customers in the face of any such incident is a must for professional moving companies. Some don’t offer this protection at all, while others offer a part of the cost and not full compensation. You need to discuss these details beforehand and determine what kind of valuation and insurance they offer.
6. They’re not big on liability.
Reputable moving companies are well aware of how important liability claims are to ensure the peace of mind of customers. They’re clear and open about how and when they’re liable and for what kinds of damage. Moving companies that make big claims about liability and won’t elaborate on them are all set to scam you. Have a written record of any and all agreements and claims they make so you don’t regret believing everything they say afterward.
7. They’re more into doing things verbally.
Hiring a moving company and availing their services needs to be in the form of a contract; otherwise, any advance payment you might give them or any new estimates they might bring your way after are going to brew trouble. Any moving company that insists on finalizing things over a handshake and nothing more is trying to scam you. Counter this by having everything in writing, and make sure to add any extra details you’re concerned about for the move.
8. Their walkthroughs are brief and cursory.
Any reputable moving company makes sure to have a walkthrough of your house to look over everything they’re going to be addressing and loading during the move. If a moving company’s walkthrough is incredibly short and surface level, there’s a strong chance they’re scamming you. These could very well be con artists that might take off with your things, so be wary of their estimation process to avoid this scam. Remember that efficient moving companies always have lots of questions and look through your items with lots of detail.
9. They don’t have credentials to their name.
A good moving company has licensure, certifications, and logos from the concerned departments. If your moving company doesn’t have anything to back up its claims of professionalism and experience, then there’s a great chance this could very well be a scam in the making. You can confirm the eligibility of a moving company by doing a quick search through the Federal Carrier Service Safety website.
10. They lack equipment.
Moving companies help people move for a living, so it doesn’t quite add up when a moving company is short on packing material or other equipment to carry and load heavy items. Moreover, if a moving company shows up on your doorstep with a rental truck and not transportation that is marked with their logo, then you need to beware. Don’t be pressured into moving ahead into the process with them and simply refuse. Nothing is worth the safety of your belongings and family.