moving scams smart people fall for featured image

You might not believe it, but moving scams are the reality of the moving business. Unfortunately, they happen all the time, hitting even the smartest ones. Moving scams include several nightmare scenarios – not only an increased bill for the services. Unfortunately, scammers are getting better at this, so you need to be very careful not to be tricked. So, if you’re thinking about moving soon, it’s best to be prepared. Here are the most common moving scams smart people fall for – get ready for this moving adventure and make sure you take all the precaution measures.

Insurance Problems

insurance

One of the typical moving scam scenarios is a company offering insurance with total coverage. These companies are trying to look concerned about the safety of your items, offering maximum range and protection, but it seems to be a scam. However, the reality is quite different. You should know that even the most reliable and professional moving teams don’t provide full insurance, so you need to get third-party insurance for the total protection of your belongings. That’s why you should react if you receive such an offer – start looking for another moving team, as you will not get any compensation if something happens to the items during transport.

A Deal Too Good To Be True

Researching moving companies before you hire them will help you avoid one of the moving scams. To spend less for the move, people sometimes accept a great deal that’s too good to be true – not knowing it’s a scam. It’s okay to try to save on your move, but looking for the cheapest moving services will not do any good. Shady businesses use this method to trick people into hiring them, only to charge them a lot more in the end. In this case, the final bill will come with a set of fees nobody mentioned before. This unpleasant surprise can ruin your moving plans.

a man using a mobile phone
Do the research and compare moving estimates to avoid moving scams.

It is essential to do thorough research on moving companies, services people often need, and how much they cost to avoid this scenario. Comparing the fees and services of multiple companies will help you understand the expected price for the services you need. This way, you will recognize any red flags much faster and stay away from problematic companies.

Scammy Weight

You know that some companies charge their services by the weight of the items loaded onto the truck. However, if you’re not careful, you can be charged more than necessary – without even knowing it. One of the moving scams even smart people fall for happens with weighing the items. To get the weight of the items, companies will weigh the truck before and after the loading. However, scammers will use this situation to charge you more. Firstly, they consider the empty truck with just the driver inside – even the gas tank is not complete. After the moving boxes or furniture are loaded, they will weigh the truck again, but this time, with the whole crew and full tank. The car will be heavier, and you’ll pay more. Also, in case you don’t trust the team altogether, make sure you witness the reweight time. Sometimes, shady companies will report that your items are heavier than they are.

Moving Nightmare – Movers Asking Ransom For Your Items

Even though this scenario is movie-like, you would be surprised how often it happens. Movers load your items and later ask for ransom in exchange for your belongings. Your goods are taken hostage, and you need to pay more to have them back. Rogue movers will ask a lot more than the estimated prices, potentially creating more financial problems.

a man stressed out while moving house
Moving can cause a lot of stress – try to avoid moving scams and nightmare scenarios.

Luckily, there are a couple of methods you can use to be precautious and avoid such scenarios. Here are the best tips to help you have a secure move without any stress.

Double-check the company you find online

The Internet has given us a fantastic opportunity to get everything we want in just a couple clicks. However, you shouldn’t rely on it entirely when hiring professionals for such an important event as moving house. Go online and explore the companies, read the reviews, etc. but try to communicate with the company representatives in person. If possible, visit their offices and find out more details about their previous customers.

Get recommendations

This step is often underrated. If anyone from your environment moved recently, ask more about the moving experience. Get recommendations from the people you trust, as this is the safest way to reach reliable moving companies to help you move into your new home.

Don’t pay a large deposit

Another red flag is when a company asks you to pay a large deposit. This is not a common practice among professional moving teams. That’s why you should start looking for another team if a company asks you to pay a large amount of money upfront.

Move without the help of a moving team

If you can’t find a trustworthy mover, it’s best not to hire one at all. You can try a DIY option instead – take your time and organize a DIY move where you can rent a truck or a trail and move the items on your own. However, be careful with this, as DIY relocations are risky in another way, and they can lead to unnecessary costs, possible damage, and you get hurt while carrying heavy objects.

a couple using a tablet to find moving companies

Use the Internet wisely – don’t rely on it entirely for moving information but try to back it up with recommendations from friends and family.

Final Words

Moving scams are indeed happening, and we need to do everything we can to stay cautious and safe. These methods will ensure you distinguish rogue moving companies from actual experts, making your relocation smooth and stress-free.

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