When you hire a service company, you are taking a risk. There is the possibility that you could receive sub-par service, be overcharged, or even be swindled out of your money. Unfortunately, moving companies are no exception. While scams are a possibility, there are several ways you can protect yourself from being a victim. Here are ways you can avoid being ripped off when hiring a moving company.
More Than Likely, Your Moving Company is Legitimate
The most important thing to know is that the odds are in your favor. More than 99% of moves end safely and without negative incident. That said, there are scammers out there who take advantage of relocators and trick them out of their money.
Know the Red Flags
There are clear indications that a professional moving company is not who they claim. For instance, moving companies are required to have either a federal motor carrier number or a number from the U.S. Department of Transportation. If the company you are considering will not share their number with you, it is likely they are not legitimate. Additionally, if a moving company does not require either a detailed inventory of your home or offer an in-home estimate, that is immediate cause to move on to another option. Finally, if the movers you are working with are not communicating with you and answering your questions, that is a sign of a disreputable company.
How to Prevent Being Scammed
Your first step to confirm that movers are who they claim is to confirm their US DOT number. Once you have verified this information, move on to checking out the moving company’s reputation and reviews. You can find this information on the Better Business Bureau website as well as service review sites like Yelp and Angie’s List. Reading the reviews on these sites will give you a good sense for the quality you can expect from your movers. And if you don’t find any information at all, that is a sign it’s time to find someone else.
No one wants to believe that they could be the victim of a scam. At the same time, it’s important to always be diligent in checking the credentials and qualifications of any service providers you choose. A good moving company will be efficient, flexible, available for any questions, and will make you feel at ease. And as always, if you are relocating within the Fairfax, VA area, be sure to give Nova Express Movers a call. We are dedicated to customer satisfaction and excellence in every move.