When relocating, you will have to hire a relocating crew for the transportation of your possessions, especially if you are moving overseas. Unfortunately, not all businesses are legitimate, and you have to be aware that there are plenty of moving scams that you can become a victim of.
Theoretically, you can just browse the internet, contact the first international moving company that you find, and set up a date for the relocation. However, in practice, it is not so simple. You have to be sure that it is an honest and trustworthy business. Such frauds can be horrific. You can end up losing a lot of money, or in the worst-case scenario, losing your possessions.
The Greatest Protection Against Moving Scams Is Being Well Informed
Relocation stress is an inevitable part of the relocation, especially nowadays during the Coronavirus pandemic. Still, when relocating to another country, you would want to hire a reliable movers’ service and be certain that your possessions are safe. How do you avoid moving scams? The key to doing so is having the right knowledge. Thus, you will be able to recognize a relocating fraud immediately. In this article, we will focus on these points:
- What types of frauds exist and how to recognize them,
- What to do if you fall victim to a moving scam,
- The importance of a reliable relocating crew and why they should be at the very top of your relocating checklist.
Overall, the frauds do not differ much, and fraudulent businesses cannot reinvent the wheel. One way or another, everything will revolve around a few methods, which means that the main victims are uninformed people.
How Do Moving Scams Work? Illegitimate Company Can Scam You Easily if You Are Not Careful
People usually do not think about this issue much, but you can get in a lot of trouble, particularly if you are relocating abroad. In most cases, you basically become their hostage. They lure you with false advertisements and duplicitous information, take your possessions and then usually demand some astronomical fees to be paid. But, when you have the right knowledge, it is easy to recognize the fraudulent activity.
No On-Site Estimations or Perfunctory Estimations of Your Items Is a Red Flag
If you have contacted a certain relocating crew and they say that no inspection is required, that is a huge red flag, and you should immediately start searching for another one. Also, if a mover shows up at your home and carelessly estimates your household property, you should also probably move on.
Legitimate businesses send appraisers that thoroughly inspect each and every piece of your property. You will be asked to precisely state what items are on your relocating abroad checklist. If the items are made of several parts, you will even be asked whether you require all parts to be moved. Afterward, an appraiser will make an estimation according to the weight and give you an exact price.
The Unexpected Alterations of Fees Is a Common Fraud
One of the most frequent moving company scams is the so-called bait and switch technique. Basically, they will offer you an incredibly low price for their services at first. And then, when the possessions have been loaded, they will suddenly demand additional fees. To make matters worse, the difference between the starting price and this newly established one will be huge.
Businesses that do this give unclear data and have incomprehensible policies so as to hide these additional fees that they will later force upon you. As mentioned before, you literally become their hostage as they will refuse to unload your possessions until you have paid them these ridiculous fees.
Valid companies will provide you straightforwardly with all the answers that you require. If the person that you have contacted hesitates to answer your questions, or the website, for example, does not have a transparent pricing structure, you should move on. The federal law states that businesses have to first notify you about their terms and regulations before anything is done.
Requiring Upfront Deposits or Not Accepting Credit Cards Is Never a Good Sign
A legitimate business will never ask you for any deposit. You are supposed to pay when the relocation is done, and you are able to see your goods again. Another suspicious feature is only accepting payments in cash. Such companies often turn out to be the ones that are using the bait and switch technique.
The Worst-Case Scenario, Your Goods Can Be Stolen
Yes, unfortunately, this moving fraud happens as well. There are many companies that open overnight and close after they have deceived someone. They will load your possessions onto their trucks, most of them even ask for ridiculous deposits, and then they will immediately disappear from the face of the Earth after they have taken your goods.
The problem is that, if you ended up in that situation, you must have then signed a contract with that shady business. Unfortunately, people who have gotten themselves into this predicament usually can only bid farewell to their home possessions. The worst part is that you will not be able to do anything about it if they have your signature. Therefore, do not carelessly sign anything before carefully examining it.
Weight Estimation Is Always the Main Element of the Total Bill
Whether the move is overseas or interstate, weight estimation is the key element when the price of relocation is being established. Some companies will offer prices based on their truck’s cubic footage and completely neglect the weight factor. While the weight is not the only element that affects the total expense, it is nevertheless a mandatory one according to FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).
Fraudulent Companies Often Have Zero or Few Reviews
Legitimate businesses have a great number of reviews on various websites, both positive and negative, that you can read. On the other hand, shady businesses are often without any reviews or have a few 5-star ones. The reason is, as mentioned above, that most of them quickly close their business and websites after deceiving someone.
We understand that there are honest people that still have not found their place on the market. Naturally, they will, as well, have a low number of reviews. In no way are we trying to discourage someone from developing their business. Unfortunately, the statistics show that seldom reviewed businesses often turn out to be frauds.
What Can You Do if You Get Scammed by a Mover? There Are Actions That Can Be Taken
If, unfortunately, you have been scammed, the first thing that you should do is lodge a complaint directly with that particular business. Reputable relocating crews will immediately start investigating the issue, and in most cases, an agreement will be reached. However, with fraudulent ones, most likely, it will not be so easy.
Notify the Appropriate Agencies That Monitor These Businesses
The first organization that you should reach if you have been scammed is the FMCSA. They are a branch of the US Department of Transportation, and they are responsible for overseeing movers. You can also reach the ATA (American Trucking Association). This is the official movers’ organization that promotes quality and reliable businesses. They will listen to your complaints.
Notify Your City’s Law Enforcement Agency, and if You Must, Sue the Company
You should also report the relocating fraud to the police. Each state has a department that is dedicated to crimes such as these. As a last resort, you can consider suing that company. However, this is never a great option, especially if you are relocating across the world. The idea that you are going to live in another country will be overshadowed by the court expenses and the overall stress that this normally engenders.
How Do I Know if a Moving Company Is Legit? There Are Many Ways to Check the Validity
First of all, all legitimate movers are given an official license by the FMCSA. This means that each and every business has a unique serial number (the USDOT number). You can find this number on a movers’ website. If this number is not present in the FMCSA’s database, you can immediately start searching for other movers.
You Can Find Much Information About Different Companies and Their Services
When going to live in another country, you can contact the expat communities that are already living overseas and ask them about their experiences. References from people that have used such services are the best possible insight that you can acquire. You can also ask your local real estate agent to recommend you a good mover.
Conversely, Legitimate Movers Have Plenty of Reviews on the Internet
Firstly, you can go to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website and search for insight there. The BBB is an organization that is dedicated to cultivating trust in the marketplace. You have the option to search for different businesses, but also you can file a complaint there as well.
As opposed to shady movers, valid ones have a plethora of reviews, both positive and negative, which you can find on the internet. When reading reviews, it is advisable to check both sides. There is no business that has a pure 5-star rating, and in negative reviews, you can find a lot of useful information that may impact your decision-making.
A Reputable Moving Crew Makes a World of Difference
After you have decided what to pack before moving abroad, hiring a reliable international moving company is the smartest decision you can make. Your possessions will be moved efficiently, and you will have more time to think about how you are going to adjust to the new country and deal with the feared culture shock.
You will not have to worry about packing fragile items. There are professional packing services available, as well as storage services where your goods will safely be stored. Shipping your car overseas is absolutely possible by using the overseas vehicle shipping feature. A legitimate overseas shipping company will assume all responsibility for the safety and security of your belongings. Here is a helpful video on how to find a trustworthy and reputable crew that will handle your relocation.
Get Proper Information and Be Cautious, There Is No Need to Act Rashly
There are many beautiful reasons for moving internationally and many wonderful places to live abroad. However, you should not only focus on the positive aspects. You have to be equally informed about negatives as well, especially nowadays when traveling abroad during covid-19. Unfortunately, as you have been able to read, there are many dishonest people around.
Therefore, approach this issue carefully and do not make any impetuous decisions. Acquire as much information as you can in the beginning, compare everything meticulously and choose the relocating crew that accommodates your needs the best. Nonetheless, a reliable and honest overseas moving company will make your life much easier.
