Beware of Unauthorized and Rogue Movers

What is the worst thing that can happen when you are planning to move and you go in search of a moving company? You might just stumble on an unauthorized moving company that could scam you out of your money.

These days, there are a lot of people who are trying to save money for their move. If you happen to go to a moving company that has a price much lower than the last company that you interviewed, chances are you are dealing with a rogue mover.

There is a lot of detail that goes into moving; because of this, you may be inclined to make a rash decision when choosing your mover. Experts would tell you that it’s best to take your time and slow down as you select the right type of movers. Fortunately, rogue movers have a certain template that most should be aware of as they make their selection.

With the majority of people now looking for services online, rogue movers are becoming more and more prevalent. A good move requires verifying that the movers are reliable. You should have faith that your moving company is reliable and will do the job skillfully and affordably. A smart place to start is always by requesting a recommendation. Your close friends or family members might be able to suggest services they’ve used and found satisfactory.

Rogue movers deceive people using a variety of strategies, however, the following are some recurring themes. These are the most widely used techniques, though there are others.

First Red Flags

One of the first signs of a scam moving company is its fees. A rogue mover may quote you a price and then add another unexpected fee later on in your moving project. To avoid this, you should ensure that the quoted fees are in writing.

Do Your Research

Is the company you are dealing with an illegitimate moving company? You can easily find out by doing some research with the mover’s association. Another way you can verify a mover is by asking for a face-to-face meeting. At this meeting, you would be able to see if the movers are operating from a physical office as well as to get a glimpse of the people that work with the moving company. You will also get the opportunity to see the moving vans available and to view the certifications and licenses displayed on the wall or desk.

Not all new movers are dubious. But there are a lot of businesses that come and go in the moving industry, particularly during the summer. As a selling point, most businesses will wish to highlight or advertise their years of experience.

Licensing

All legitimate businesses must obtain a DOT number to demonstrate that they are authorized movers. The Department of Transportation is the government organization that assigns each moving company a special license number. Many movers operate without one to save money. It is forbidden to operate without a valid DOT number. If something goes wrong, the business can literally disappear into the night, turn off their phones, and you might never be able to find them again.

Be Cautious Of the Cheapest Price

Consider comparing that price to a few others on the market before selecting the one that is the lowest and moving on. Not that you should avoid cheap movers, but you should exercise extra caution if one quote is significantly less than all the others in your area.

Get Your Copy of the Contract

This is probably not the price you will wind up paying if you are making a verbal agreement over the phone without having any written or legally binding documents that have been signed. You will be at this company’s mercy to pay what is essentially a ransom for your belongings to be restored because they will have all of your possessions. Legitimate businesses will give you legal forms.

Background Check

This is the type of information you would not yield from a phone interview. Most of the time, rogue movers use prepaid cell phones which makes it easier for them to conveniently go out of business when the first sign of trouble arises.

Another precautionary method is to research the Internet to do a background check and moving reviews on prospective moving companies. The Better Business Bureau is a good place to start when doing your online research.

Upfront Payment

A reliable business would never request a sizable cash payment in advance of your relocation, and movers should offer a number of payment options. They’ll want to avoid leaving a paper record because asking for money up front could be a symptom of another illegal method of conducting business. Never consent to hand over cash to anyone before the move is finished.

Unmarked Vehicles

Reputable businesses have staff and the necessary tools, including trucks, for transferring your possessions. A moving truck with a label that doesn’t match the name of your business may be a red flag. Be prepared by conducting more research. Although there might be a good explanation for this, be careful and find out why they are utilizing the truck with the varied markings.

Don’t Be a Victim

For those of you who may have already encountered an illegitimate moving company, one of their tactics is to hold your furniture and household items until you pay them an astronomical fee. If this is the case, then we suggest that you immediately call the authorities.