If the price is too good to be true, it is probably a scam that will cost you much more at the end of the day!
Moving or relocating from your home is a stressful exercise, since not only are you moving your valuable possessions but also your cherished memories in that household; both good and bad. People move for a variety of reasons, and it is estimated in a survey that people are likely to move at least once in their lifetime, for personal, financial or career related reasons.
There is a reason, why people dread the moving day, and the entire process of moving from one home to the other, since the pressure and stress of the move, combined with the time consuming process of the entire move takes its toll on most people. This is why it is always advised to hire professionals, or certified moving companies to help you with moving, since they will make the job much easier and stress free.
However, there have been a growing number of complaints against rogue movers who specialize in scamming people, when they are moving. This makes the moving process more complicated and stressful, not to mention the loss in damages and valuables that are lost in the process.
It is important that you protect yourself from these imposters posing as movers, since they will present themselves as a legitimate moving company and quote an estimate which will be way below the prevalent market price. Many people get suckered into hiring these rogue movers, since they are looking to save money when moving, and end up paying a whole lot more than they originally planned. They also lose their possessions and valuables as well, so you have to be on the lookout for these imposters constantly when moving.
Here are some of the ways in which you can identify scammers that pose as a certified moving company:
No Inspection Needed
A professional moving company will always come to your home and inspect all the items that have to be moved to your new residence. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is a member of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) states that all professional moving companies have to provide estimates with an onsite inspection. A rogue mover, will randomly quote an estimate on the phone, and will refuse to give an onsite inspection.
Pay Me the Money
Legitimate moving companies ask for money before they finish the job, and you should be wary if your mover asks for a large cash deposit or money upfront before the move.
Know Your Rights
All professional moving companies are ordered by Federal rules and regulations to provide you with a booklet, which states your rights and responsibilities during the move. If your mover does not provide you with one before the move, do not employ them.
No Certifications and Onsite Address
The alarm bells should go off in your head if the moving company you choose to employ does not have an onsite address and their website does not provide any certifications, or information about the insurance claims and legal licensing of the company.
In this day and age, when people are being scammed out of their hard earned money and possessions by scam artists posing as movers, it is important to protect yourself from them to ensure a stress free move.