Relocation comes with a great hassle. Packing, shifting, and unpacking might seem exciting at first, but soon it becomes a nuisance. Here’s where Raleigh moving companies come to your rescue. However, just like elsewhere, scammers have contaminated the moving businesses as well.
What are moving scams?
There are different kinds of moving scams. Some companies run away with advance payments without offering services; some take your credit card details and steal money while some might offer half the benefits of what they promised.
How can one safeguard against these moving scams?
Just like other thieves, moving scammers leave a trail as well. There are a few signs that might indicate the disguise behind a fraudulent moving company. Here is a list of precautions and safeguards to help you identify and avoid a moving scam.
- Don’t rely on credentials and reviews posted on websites. These testimonials are usually fake and are written to mislead clients. Always ask for recommendations from your friends, family, and acquaintances regarding moving companies they have had personal experience with.
- A legitimate moving company is the one that is a member of the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Moving companies in Raleigh, NC, are usually associated with North Carolina Movers Association (NCMA).
- Never go for the cheapest offering moving companies. Always compare quotes from different providers and review their breakdowns instead of a lump sum amount. The best Raleigh moving companies provide a number of services, so choose the one best for you.
- Always ensure that the company you are hiring is licensed and insured. This certifies that any damage done to your belongings during the shifting process or any item stolen will be compensated to you by the insurance company.
- Fraudulent businesses often only accept credit cards and cash deposits. A scammer will also ask you to deposit a large amount as advance payment and then run away with it overnight. A legitimate Raleigh moving company doesn’t ask for a deposit of more than 10-15%.
- Always read documents before signing. In case the company doesn’t keep documented records, insist on having written contracts mentioning all necessary information, including fee structure, including inventory sheets, fee structure, and tax details. Make sure you never sign any incomplete or blank documents.
- Ask for any questions and queries in your mind, and notice the company’s response. A fraudulent company often has a slow and inefficient customer care service.
- Be very cautious when a mover asks you to sign a new invoice saying that the previous one has either been damaged or lost or that you have items more than you initially reported. Keep copies of the invoice with you, ask them to provide you with a revised estimate, and ensure that both the parties sign it before the moving process begins.
- Always visit the mover’s office premises and survey the vehicles to be used. Scammers usually have no specific workplaces and are hesitant while inviting you to one.
It only takes a little precaution and wariness from your end to have a pleasant and safe moving experience. We hope our safeguard measures would help you identify any fraudulent mover trying to scam you.
