As per the data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, about 40 million people annually move in the US. Though a majority of them go smooth and incident-free, there have been cases of moving scams. And unfortunately, scams are getting reported at a large number in recent years. You need to know about scams to ensure that you don’t get trapped in one. The best protection against moving scams is the knowledge about them.
We thought of speaking about a few common moving scams that you need to cautious about.
Phoning it in
Before you are given the final moving company quote, a mover will conduct an on-site home inspection. And no good moving company will give a quote without seeing the volume of items you have. A company will never guess the bulk and weight and would offer a quote. So when you receive a moving company quote via phone, do not agree to it as the mover can be a scam.
The cursory glance
When a moving company representative is just making a quick walk without opening cabinets and taking note of exactly what you plan to move is going to be way off the mark. A reliable moving company will always have questions such as “Are you planning to move all the food in your pantry, or will you eat it before you go?” “Are you planning a yard sale to get rid of anything; if so, what?”
And while making an estimate, expect comments from the mover such as ‘the king-size bed would cost this’ or ‘why not donate the books so that you can adjust the cost’.
There are thousands of cases every year about belongings held hostage by scam artists who low-ball your quote, then refuse to deliver your belongings until you’ve paid them hundreds or thousands of dollars more — in cash.
The requested deposit
No genuine moving company will demand an advance cash deposit. As the rule of thumb, the payment is made after you receive the items at the new home. Once you make the payment, remember that you have zero control over when you’ll see your belongings again. While making the payment, use a credit card that will help you fight any fraudulent activity.
The name change
A few moving companies get around the Better Business Bureau and other such scam busters by constantly doing business under new names. Ensure that company’s local address and information about licensing and insurance. Do not agree to online moving company quotes.
To be on the safer side, ask for three references — not just any references, but three clients who are from your area and who were moved within the past three months. To confirm the facts, you can call up these people and ask pointed questions about their experience.
Also, the moving company should have their state and federal license numbers. You can find the details online and make sure the license details are accurate. Call the government’s consumer complaints hotline at 1 (888) 368-7238 to inquire about the company’s history.
When your friends or family don’t have recommendations, get a list of reliable movers from local or national movers associations like the American Moving And Storage Association and State Associations of Movers. You can also check with a local realtor who knows the best moving companies in town.
Packing costs
Usually, a moving company is not responsible for the damages if you have personally packed the belongings. And when you want the moving company quote to include packing cost, it is their responsibility to safely pack your items intact. But ensure they are not inflating the cost.
Always be aware of the packers’ experience and the route it will take during the transit. . A moving company you choose needs to be reliable. And when you find a mover from a trustworthy source, the chances of scams are limited. As the mover is going to transport your items, be careful and always go into the details.
