Moving can already be a big headache without dealing with rogue companies trying to scam you. They know you’re probably in a hurry and looking for a good price, and they use that to their advantage. To avoid getting scammed, you just have to know what red flags to spot before you agree to anything.
How to Avoid Scams
1. Walk Away If the Estimate Is Way Too Low
If a moving quote looks incredibly cheap, it’s a trap. Scammers love to give you a “lowball” price just to get you to sign. Try to get at least three estimates so you have an idea of what’s a normal price and what’s too low (or too high). As the saying goes, sometimes the cheap comes out expensive!
2. Avoid Companies That Skip the Inventory Check
If a company gives you a final price over a quick phone call without seeing your rooms, just hang up. A legitimate mover needs to actually see what you have by doing an in-person visit, a video walkthrough, or even by looking at pictures. They will always ask you detailed questions to give you a real estimate. Scammers don’t care about the details upfront because they plan to change the price on moving day anyway.
3. Check for a Real License and a Real Address
There’s an easy way to check if a moving company is legal. Any legitimate mover should have a U.S. DOT number, so you can just ask them for it and look it up online. But if you don’t feel like asking them or talking to them yet, just search for the company name plus “US DOT number” on Google and it should pop right up.
Also, look up their physical office address on Google Maps. Switch to satellite view to check if it’s a real office building and not just a random house. If they get defensive when you ask questions, or if their office is just a parking lot, that’s your sign to run in the opposite direction.
4. Don’t Fall for Fishy Payment Demands
Money is where scammers try to trap you. While it’s normal for a company to ask for a small deposit to hold your date, you should never pay a massive amount of money up front. Real movers expect you to pay when they actually deliver your things.
When it is time to pay, use a credit card if you can. Avoid any company that insists on cash or wire transfers. If something goes wrong, your credit card company gives you fraud protection so you can dispute the charges. If you pay with cash, that money is gone forever.
5. Hang Up if They Answer with a Generic Name
When you call them, pay attention to how they pick up the phone. If they just say “Hello, moving services” instead of using an actual company name, that’s a big red flag. Scammers do this on purpose so you can’t easily look them up online, or because they aren’t even a properly registered business. A real company will proudly say their name when they answer your call.
Checking a Company Is Easier Than Ever
Verifying a business is legit is as easy as spending some minutes online. Before you give any company your money, you just need to do some quick research.
Check their Google Reviews and Yelp. Reading through what actual customers say about their real experiences will give you a great idea of who you are dealing with. It’s also a smart idea to check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website to see if the company has a history of unresolved complaints or really bad ratings.
Also, take a look at their website and social media. A real, honest business will usually have active profiles with recent posts and real photos of their team.
Ready for an Honest Move?
At Eco Movers, we believe you deserve total transparency from start to finish. We answer the phone with pride, and we will never give you a fake estimate over a quick call. We always take the time to look at your items so you know exactly what to expect.
Check out our website, look at our social media, and read our reviews online. When you are ready for a stress-free move with a team you can trust, get in touch with us for a real, accurate quote!
