Residential moving scams are on the rise resulting in thousands of complaints to the Federal Department of Transportation and the Better Business Bureaus every year. Some of these fraudulent companies originally quote a very low price for their services. However, upon arriving at the new home, they suddenly demand an increase in the amount owed. The customer’s belongings are often held and used as leverage until the desired amount of money is paid. Below are some straightforward steps that will help customers prevent moving scams.

Research any potential companies thoroughly. This can seem like a daunting task, but there are many organizations that provide consumers with reviews and updates as well as professional insight into specific companies. Historically, the Better Business Bureau has been the first stop for this information, and provides record of serious claims and pending investigations. Moving-specific websites like MovingScam maintains a blacklist of known scammers, cialis review as well as details of the issues that have been reported.

Other organizations such as the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) as well as Protect Your Move, a government service, which provides information about the guidelines that these companies must abide by. Questions to ask, signs of scams, steps to filing complaints and lists of preferred and licensed providers are also available on these websites. A company that provides services for interstate moves must be licensed by the AMSA, and their vehicles must be a part of their licensed carrier list. Additionally, these sites list the types of insurance that reputable companies should provide to its customers in the case of damage to any possessions during the transportation process.

Once you have found three or four companies with solid reputations that you may be interested in working with, price comparison is important. Asking for an in-home quote or estimate is incredibly beneficial early on in the search. A company that promises an accurate price estimate over the phone should be avoided if you have a full household of items to be moved.

When it comes to signing a contract, a buyer should be sure that all charges are accounted for. A business that offers a flat rate for moving should be avoided, as this is generally a sign of a scam, especially when planning a cross-country or international move, Kamagra Soft where rates should be based on weight and shipping costs. As with any rental company, these movers often request a 25% security deposit on services, but anything above that is often a negative reflection of their legitimacy.

Reviewing the types of insurance they provide will be important here, as you can check to be sure they offer the types required by federal agencies. This contract should also itemize all charges for shipping, materials, packing, labor and mileage. It should also indicate charges not included such as gratuity, driving time, lunch breaks, etc.

Once you have booked a company, make sure to examine the trucks when they arrive. Be sure the vehicles that will actually be moving all your belongings looks neat and well-kept. This is one easy to spot sign of how well your furniture will be cared for during the move. If movers arrive driving any type of rental truck, the customer should cancel the order immediately and demand any deposits returned.

The customer should research their consumer rights in both the state that they are moving from and the state that they are moving to, if different. The Better Business Bureau and local law enforcement should be enlisted for help if the company holds the consumer’s belongings hostage or fails to live up to the expectations outlined in the contract.

Author Bio: Stephen Daniels is an acclaimed Levitra Netbiz SEO 2.0 researcher for a variety of industries. He highly recommends Chicago moving company Checkmate Movers. Their experienced staff works hard to safely and efficiently move your belongings without hidden fees, because it’s what they love to do.

Category: Home
Keywords: prevent moving scams, household moves, Chicago moving company