Is Your Moving Company Trying To Scam You?
Moving home is one of life’s most stressful experiences, whether you use a moving company or not. According to multiple surveys, research papers, and psychologists, moving home can be one of the most taxing moments in your life. In fact, in a survey by Forbes, over 83% of respondents confirmed that they find moving stressful, with Generation X finding it the most traumatic. The reality is that it doesn’t matter what generation you are in though, moving home represents change, which in itself is a stressful experience.
With all the stress that comes from moving, people across the US can, unfortunately, fall prey to scams by moving companies who take advantage of a situation where a homeowner or family is distracted by many action items on their list. How do you ensure that you are not scammed by a moving company? It’s all about knowing what to look out for and finding someone with a trusted track record.
Are You Being Scammed by Your Moving Company?
Every year, there are thousands of people across the US who are scammed by fraudulent moving companies. These fraudsters know exactly how to take advantage of the chaos and confusion that often comes with moving home.
What do these scams look like? There are many forms, including ‘bait and switch’, rogue movers, phantom charges, overestimating weight, and presenting estimates that are not in writing (which later increase). Each of these scams, regardless of how severe, leaves consumers frustrated and often out of pocket.
For example, one scam involves offering a customer a low initial estimate. Once the belongings have been collected, the moving company then drastically increases the price. This then becomes a type of ‘hostage’ situation. Another includes operating under a fake name and then disappearing with your possessions once collected, or simply vanishing after a deposit has been paid.
The best way to ensure you don’t get scammed is to know what red flags to be on the lookout for. Here are a few things to keep in mind when seeking out a moving company for your next move.
Check for Licensing and Insurance
One of the most important items to tick off your checklist is to see whether they are a legitimate moving company. If they are they’ll have the necessary licensing and insurance, which are both required by law.
Get an Estimate in Writing
Make sure that you don’t fall prey to quotes only given over the phone or in person. Get it all in writing. That way, you always have correspondence to refer back to if things change down the line. Make sure this estimate is binding, meaning the price won’t change unless you add more items or services, or change the destination or length of storage.
Avoid Large Deposits
A common scam is taking large deposits and then vanishing into thin air. It’s a red flag if a moving company asks you for an unusually high deposit. Full payment should only be completed upon delivery, not upfront.
Read Reviews
A great way to check the legitimacy of a moving company is to look at their online reviews. Make sure the name of the company reviewed aligns with the name of the company you are engaging with, and that there are not only one or two reviews. If there are, or none at all, there’s a good chance you are dealing with a scammer.
Watch Out for Name Changes
Some scammers operating as moving companies do so under multiple names. This ensures they avoid being detected by authorities and avoid bad reviews. If you find that suddenly the company you were engaging with has changed names, check the company’s license and insurance information using their US DOT number. Always ask the company for their full business name.
Beware of Extra Fees
If you find that extra fees are suddenly added to your moving bill, without a clear explanation, this could be a moving company taking a chance. Estimates should always be detailed and final, meaning that what you are presented with is what you will pay. Make sure that the contract clearly states that no additional fees can be charged without your consent.
Don’t Sign a Blank Contract
You’ll be surprised how often this scam is successful. Make sure that you never sign a blank or incomplete contract. It has to include all the information, including the fee, pickup, and delivery dates, as well as a list of your belongings. If not, you risk a scammer making changes and sending you a much higher bill.
Always ask a moving company these five questions:
- How many years have you been operating?
- Do you ask for a deposit? If yes, what is the amount?
- Are you officially registered with the FMCSA?
- Do you handle moves directly, or do you subcontract them?
- Will you conduct a walkthrough before providing an estimate?
Why Allegiance Van Lines Is One of the US’s Most Trusted Moving Companies
At Allegiance Van Lines, we take our reputation seriously. As a result, we’ve become one of the most trusted moving companies in the US. Prioritizing customer satisfaction and transparency is important to us, here’s why thousands of homeowners and families trust our moving services.
Comprehensive Services
With a wide range of services, we offer our customers customized solutions to meet their moving needs. This includes local and long-distance moves, packing and unpacking services, and storage. With an experienced team, we make sure that each move is handled with care and precision. It’s what sets us apart from many competitors.
Transparent Pricing
We believe in transparent pricing, always. With Allegiance Van Lines, what you see is what you pay for. There are no hidden fees and once a quote is agreed upon that is what you will pay. We also don’t believe in overcharging our customers for a price that should be fair and aligned with the industry standard.
Excellent Customer Reviews
We are proud of every positive customer review that we receive. These reviews allow our customers to share their experiences with the public, and if you read our reviews you’ll see how we often go over and above to make sure our customers are happy and that their moving process is as smooth as possible.
Licensed and Insured
We are, of course, fully licensed and insured. This gives our customers peace of mind that they are dealing with a professional company and that their belongings are in safe hands.
Trust Allegiance Van Lines for Your Next Move
If you are moving home, whether that be around the corner or moving across the country, trust our team of moving specialists to get the job done right. When your items arrive at their final destination, you can rest assured that will have been taken care of throughout the process.
With a range of services on offer, you can select those that suit your needs best. This means that you’ll only need to pay for the services you need. To get started, contact our experienced team at (561) 210-5120 or get a free home moving quote.
FAQs: Preparing for Your Next Move
Q: What should I do to prepare for moving day?
A: Start by creating a checklist of tasks to complete before moving day. This might include packing non-essential items early, labeling boxes clearly, and arranging for utilities to be transferred to your new home. It’s also a good idea to confirm the moving date and time with your moving company a few days in advance.
Q: How can I make unpacking easier?
A: Unpacking can be less overwhelming if you have a plan. Start by unpacking essential items first, such as kitchenware and toiletries. Organize each room as you go, and consider decluttering while you unpack to save space in your new home.
Q: What should I do with items I no longer need?
A: Moving is a great opportunity to declutter. Donate or sell items you no longer need, or dispose of them responsibly. Many moving companies offer donation pickup services, making it easier to give away items to charity.
Q: How far in advance should I book a moving company?
A: It’s best to book a moving company as soon as you have a moving date. Ideally, you should book at least four to six weeks in advance, especially during peak moving seasons like summer. This will give you ample time to plan and ensure you secure the moving company of your choice.