Every year there are thousands of complaints filed against moving companies. The complaints are mostly about loss or damage to property, overcharges, and reports of a situation where movers refused to give back belongings and kept them hosted demanding extra payments. That is the reason why many people opt for a DIY move in an attempt to avoid a rogue moving company. If you decided to pack and move without any professional help, you would still appreciate some professional advice on packing, loading, and moving your belongings. And, if you happen to move in the middle of the holiday season, find a minute to watch this and learn how not to miss all the fun while moving.

Whatever moving option you would choose, look at our 10 warning signs that will help you recognize a fake mover before it is too late.

Warning signs to pay special attention

1. The mover demands cash or a large a deposit before the move.
2. Fake movers often does not provide a written estimate. Movers must give written estimates and may give binding estimates. Non-binding estimates should not always be accurate; actual charges may exceed the estimate.
3. The mover asks you to sign blank or incomplete documents. The document should be as complete as possible before signing it: it should contain all relevant shipping information, except the actual shipment weight and any other information necessary to determine the final charges for all services performed.
4. The mover promises to determine the charges after loading. Remember that rogue movers typically work like this: without ever visiting your home or seeing your belongings, they give a low estimate. When your things are on their truck, they demand more money before they deliver or unload them and they force you to pay more than you agreed to.
5. The mover doesn’t agree to an on-site inspection of your household belongings and gives a low estimate over the telephone or online.
6. The company’s website has no local address and no info about their registration or insurance.
7. Also fake mover doesn’t provide you with a copy of “Your Rights and Responsibilities”, and a copy of FMCSA’s Ready to Move brochure, that movers are required to provide you and their customers in the planning stages of interstate moves by Federal regulations.
8. The mover says that all your belongings are covered by their insurance. Remember that valuation coverage is not the same as moving insurance. Before moving, do your research on valuation coverage to find out what it does cover and what it doesn’t cover, you can request an explanation of the difference between valuation and actual insurance.
9. The mover answer the phone with a generic “Movers” or “Moving company,” but not with the company’s name.
10. Moving company‘s offices and warehouse are in poor condition or don’t exist.

Mover or Broker

On moving day, a rental truck arrives rather than a company-owned or marked fleet truck. You should know the difference between the actual mover and a household goods broker. A household goods broker only arranges for transportation and it must not represent itself as a mover. A household goods broker does not own trucks. You should know that a household goods broker usually has no authority to provide you an estimate on behalf of a specific moving company. If a household goods broker provides you an estimate, it can not be binding on the actual mover. You may have to pay the actual charges the mover assesses. A household goods broker is not responsible for loss or damage.

Be carefull 

Imagine, the mover claims that you have more stuff than estimated. If this happens, be sure the mover provides a revised estimate that you both sign, listing the additional items or services as well as a price that you both have agreed to, and remember to sign before they begin packing or loading. You should also be provided with a copy of this new estimate.

To sum up

Attentively read our article “Your rights and responsibilities when you move”. Do your best to recognize a rogue mover before they have your goods. Contact us today and our team of professionals will be happy to help you make your forthcoming move fulfilled! We respect your time and money. Quality service, dedication to the work we do, and expert care. Start your FREE quote right now, don’t hesitate! We are looking forward to your call! We work hard to move you fast! Good Luck with your move