By George Thompson Whether you’re moving to a new office or a new home, when you hire a moving company, you want to be certain you’re working with reliable experts. You certainly don’t want to fall victim to a moving scam.
Familiarizing yourself with the signs of a moving scam is key to avoiding one. To ensure you’re hiring movers you can trust, keep the following tips in mind:
Identify Unrealistic Estimates
Ideally, a mover will have an opportunity to complete an in-home or virtual survey of your belongings before giving you an estimate. If they’re unable to do so, they should at least request thorough information regarding the size, weight, fragility, and value (if you’re moving luxury items) of what you’re moving. If they give you an estimate without seeing your belongings or learning enough about them, there’s a good chance it isn’t realistic, and you’ll end up spending more than quoted.
It is also worth getting several estimates to compare pricing, services, and estimated weight. Legitimate estimates will all be in the ballpark of each other.
Don’t Pay a Hefty Deposit
Scammers often ask that customers pay large deposits upfront before performing any work. Once the deposit has been paid, they may not show up at all. Or, they may claim to be an actual local moving service, but in fact, they merely collect deposits, then hire cheap movers to perform the work, pocketing what’s leftover. This prevents customers from controlling who actually handles their move.
Be skeptical of any movers who ask you to pay a large upfront deposit. It’s highly likely they aren’t trustworthy.
Pay Attention to the Way They Answer the Phone
This is an easy trick that can help you determine if a moving company is reliable. Often, moving companies with bad reputations change their names to avoid being associated with their previous businesses. Because of their frequent name changes, company representatives may forget to say the full name of the business when answering the phone. They may say something vague like, “moving services.”
Pay attention to this factor when calling a company. It’s also smart to confirm their phone number actually is local.
Check for Insurance
Although some homeowners insurance policies also offer moving insurance, it’s still best to make sure the moving company you hire also carries insurance. If any of your possessions get damaged during the move, you want to know they’re covered.
Don’t Sign Blank Contracts
Scammers often ask potential customers to sign contracts before providing estimates. Don’t make this mistake! Everything should be in writing before you sign any contracts.
Do Your Research
The Internet has made finding a reputable moving company easier than ever. After all, while a moving company can provide you with glowing testimonials from past customers (that may or may not be authentic), you can’t be certain those testimonials accurately represent the quality of the services a company delivers. Instead, search for reviews from customers on third-party platforms. These will be more likely to be both honest and accurate.
Unfortunately, scammers operate in virtually every niche and industry. Moving is no exception. That said, if you keep these tips in mind, you can at least improve your odds of avoiding becoming the victim of a moving scam.
Lorenzo Billie 
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