Moving Scams 101 – How to Avoid to Become Victim of Fraudulent Movers

After hearing so many awful stories about it, it’s not surprising that you are contemplating the possibility of being scammed. Fear and distrust might be the main reason why there’s a vague answer over our heads when asking is it better to move yourself or hire movers. Here’s how to tell if your company is a scam before signing a dotted line.

One of The Most Common Moving Scams – The Name Game

A background check usually begins by looking through cross- country companies’ profiles on the web. Not doing it might probably be one of the common relocation mistakes people make. Even if you’re performing a last-minute move, take your time and do research. The most simple method for scammers to get away without repercussions is to change their names frequently. Luckily, having a short professional lifespan also means not being around long enough to have reviews, which immediately appears as a red flag.

It would help if you also search for other basic info, such as their local address, registration, and insurance information. To be even safer, look for several references within the past few months. From actual people, by the way, because there are many fake ones, written by companies’ employees or paid writers. Of course, recommendations for relocation companies from friends and family are always the best solution. Still, if they don’t have trusted ones, there is always a list of reliable relocation specialists from national movers associations.

Be Careful With Your Research

When moving cross country with your pet or relocating with kids, you really want to have everything taken care of so you can dedicate time to your family. But, the truth is that you will need to invest a certain amount of time to make sure you properly research every company that you come across, even recommendations. If you’re relocating for a job and your company takes care of everything, it’s best you still check out the company that will move your items.

Lacking Proper Licensing

If, while doing your research, you come across long-distance moving companies without a proper license, feel free to assume they won’t take adequate care of your belongings either. Bear in mind that every reputable mover has a US Department of Transportation number, so there’s a perfect chance you’re facing fraud if it’s not listed on their website.

Avoid Autopilot Mode On

No matter the reasons to move, you can never eliminate the anxiety about relocating out. Still, hiring a reliable mover surely soothes your mind, besides helping with the relocation process. One of the crucial requests is an on-site inspection because making a detailed household inventory list is the way to get an accurate relocation cost estimate. Cross-country movers that try to calculate the total price over the phone or via email, and second-guess the estimate, are the ones you should say goodbye to.

On-Site Inspection

Relocation specialists should visit your home and take a good look at all of your belongings. Potential problems which might occur on moving day – antiques and breakables, bulky furniture, or anything else requiring customized packing services as well as boxes and packing supplies – should be noted as well. They are supposed to get acquainted with all the doorways and narrow corridors, too, and deliver well-organized long-distance moving services. This is when you’ll get your actual quote.

If interested in transporting your car across the country, this is an excellent moment to ask the company representatives if there’s a car shipping service they offer. Every five-star cross-country mover will lead you through the whole relocation process and answer all your questions transparently concerning all their cross-country moving services. The same goes for the storage service, so don’t hesitate to find out all the details.

Do Movers Charge by Weight or Volume?

A reputable mover will give you an honest price, regardless of the metric, while a crooked one will find a way to overcharge you. No matter what affects the mover hourly rate, understanding how it works will help you recognize a scam.

There are a variety of charges depending on the type of your move. The most common pricing methods of legitimate movers are based on your inventory’s weight or volume. Ultimately, we can differentiate two main types: the ones that determine the cost based on your shipment’s weight and the others that use the volume, which is a bit less accurate than the first ones. The third and most transparent option is a quote based on the inventory list. In any case, and depending on your relocation budget, this is an excellent chance to talk to your relocation specialists and check if there is a chance for relocation expenses deduction if needed.

Hot Deals are Often Fraudulent

Even though many of us would rather naively accept the lower price without questioning it, there’s the learning experience preventing us from doing it. This being said, if a low-ball estimate seems too good to be true, then you’re most certainly confronted with a moving scam. The cheapest way to move out of state is not always the best one. Sure, moving during the winter, which is the best time of the year for relocating, is cheaper, but you need to be careful when looking for quotes. For example, if you are relocating to Richmond Virginia, from across the country to LA, and get a cheap estimate, it will probably be too good to be true.

Upfront Deposit

Whether it is about a considerable amount of money or an abnormally large one, asking for any deposit gives many possible scenarios to your move, all of them pretty bad. Rest assured, if this is the situation you’re in, you’re dealing with fraudsters and one of the most common frauds. Whatever you’ve been promised, never pay more than 20% of the final cost. Use this as a rule of thumb and avoid paying with cash. Use your credit card because credit card payments can be stopped or refunded to you.

Extra Fees Indicate Moving Company Scams

Long-distance moving quickly drains your budget, and you quickly find yourself wondering how to reduce cost when relocating. The last thing you want is the unpleasant surprise of being charged extra. This is where you have to be extremely cautious, not to overlook that only requested assistance is clearly stated in your bill of lading. Double-check it, or several times if necessary, but make sure there are no absurd charges or, even worse, ridiculous services.

Holding Goods Hostage

While there are many types of relocation frauds, this one’s a classic. Federal law requires interstate relocation companies to release your belongings when you pay 100% of the charges in a binding estimate or 110% of a non-binding one where additional weight or help have caused the final price to increase. Still, deceptive movers are far from afraid of driving away with your family heirloom unless you pay them the price they set themselves. If you are one of the millions packing and relocating and want to avoid such a nightmarish scenario, take the precautions mentioned above.

Being Guaranteed Is Never a Guarantee

One of two kinds of estimates are required by federal law:

• A non-binding one could cost you more than expected. This is a quote based on the weight of customer’s belongings, and, as the term itself says, it’s not set in stone. The possibility for the quote to change is not so small.
• A binding one is a guaranteed cost for the approximate weight of the customer’s belongings.

These quotes also include mandatory insurance, so they will have to estimate the value of household goods. However, it is a basic one, and it usually applies to items that are not of great value, but still, you should not forget to create a photo inventory of everything you own.

To hear more about why it is important to be extremely careful when signing paperwork from your mover, check out the video below.

Protect Yourself From Moving Fraud

There are many responsibilities on the house owners list, especially if you’re relocating to another state alone. Getting safely to the new home is indeed one of the priorities. Since we live in a world full of data, their availability can often be helpful or, even better, a safety measure. To avoid bad outcomes, before choosing a long-distance moving company, do thorough online research on the ones you’re interested in. FMCSA’s database provides not only registration information but customer reviews and complaints history, as well. Another great way you can protect yourself is to search for a certified mover on the ATA’s website, making sure they meet ethical and professional standards. Also, checking their profile on the Better Business Bureau’s website can only do you good.

Rights and Responsibilities Booklet

It is well known that knowledge gives us the ability to make smart decisions a bit more confidently. If you want to know how to deal with relocation stress better, we recommend not skipping this one. For interstate moves, federal law requires that every company provide the booklet called “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.” This is a copy of the interstate relocation industry’s official rule book, so be sure to read the information carefully.

The Blank Contract

There are so many do’s and don’ts regarding moving fraud, but this one is rather common sense than a scam. No matter how friendly or helpful your mover is, get everything in writing and don’t ever sign a blank contract. If you expect all your stuff to arrive at your new location, read the contract from top to bottom. Don’t be lazy. Make sure everything is listed.

Document Your Home and Keep Away From Scams

How to unpack after a move if your household goods are not with you? This brings us to the next big point – how to organize your move. Take note of everything so that you can have before-and-after proof. It is the only possible way to get away from any potential unpleasant situations. You should always check if there’s any problem or a difference on the mover’s copy of the inventory before signing it. It’s a lot easier for them to deny it if you don’t have any proof or if they didn’t see the damage before leaving your home. Remember that your chosen shippers will deny liability if you fail to report any missing or damaged items immediately upon delivery. Adjusting to a new place after relocating will be much easier if you protect what you love and have it all with you.

What to Do If You Have Been Scammed By a Moving Company?

If you wondered how to move efficiently despite unforeseen circumstances, note that minor inconveniences are expected when making such significant transitions. It is not the end of the world if you find yourself experiencing them. However, when serious problems arise, and the company or your stuff can’t be reached, you have to decide what would be the next best step for you:

• Take your issue online and write a review,
• File a complaint,
• Get in touch with different organizations that could help you: BBB, DOT, AMSA, and FMCSA,
• Consider taking your case to a small claims court for financial reimbursement.

Finding Honest Operators is Primary Goal

Having too many choices sometimes decreases our ability to recognize the right one. With so many of them around, how to know who is the best moving company? This one might be difficult to answer, but with an extensive search, you’ll get there. After all, let your primary concern be dealing with an honest mover since you’re paying someone you don’t know to drive away with everything you own.