What can you tell whether a moving company is legit?

Moving can cause a lot of stress for a variety of reasons. Because of this, fighting against fraudsters in the relocation industry should be the very last thing on your list of priorities. When you select a mover it is essential to determine if the moving company is legitimate to make you confident of their capability to manage your move and your valuables with care. You risk hiring untrustworthy movers who will be stealing your money if the research is not done in advance.

Unfortunately, fraudulent movers do exist They are particularly active during the peak period of the season for moving, which is from May through September. Professional and licensed movers are most in-demand at this time of year for clear reasons. Here is a list of warning signs to avoid falling for scams and having a bad experience.

There are major differences between scammers and reliable movers

Do not fall for scams at the time of your moving. Before you decide to use the services of a moving firm it is crucial to verify the legitimacy of the company. The good news is that you can verify if the company is genuine and legal status shouldn’t take more than a quarter of an hour. This is a security test that may save you from many hassles later down the line. Pay attention to any of the warning signs that your service provider displays that are listed below.

A significant initial deposit

Most reputable and licensed movers, for example, Zeromax moving, want only a small down payment at the time of booking. Many moving companies don’t require the payment of a down. Instead, they will ask for payment in full once the job is complete. If they request a larger first payment, the company you are dealing with is likely a fraud.

Incredibly low-interest rates

Large down payments can raise suspicions, but so do very low rates of moving. Both are suspect. Moving is not an inexpensive undertaking. The company has to pay its employees, along with tax, fuel, and car maintenance. Check to see if the price you get is compared to the estimates you receive from other moving companies. Some scams include doubling the price at the very last minute and betting that you won’t be able to locate a replacement provider in a short time.

There are a lot of negative movers reviews

When selecting a company to move with, it is important to always look at their ratings first. It is clear that their service is not up to par since there are a lot of negative reviews. Also, it is important to be on the lookout for the excessive amount of positive reviews, as this could indicate fake reviews.

Time management issues

Be wary of movers who continuously try to alter the time or date of your move. Another sign to tell if something is wrong is when the team is late to arrive or fails to provide an estimate. Although it is understandable for there to be a small amount of late or rescheduled appointments even from reliable movers, however, a large percentage of these issues can point to fraud.

Cash is the only accepted payment method

It is possible to get a lower price if you pay your movers in cash. On the other hand, it is important to be aware of red flags that should be raised if the mover insists on only accepting cash payments. Credit card transactions are recorded and can be challenged if something goes wrong. Moving companies that are certified will accept different payment options, including credit card payments and various other methods.

Learn what makes movers trustworthy and reliable

It is vital to know what is required for a moving company to be considered a legitimate business. Legitimate moving business must be licensed and registered by the State Department of Transportation (FMCSA):

• Movers who are operating within the state. Locally operated companies require a movers license from the department of transportation in the state for legal permission to conduct business in the state. In contrast to movers from outside the state moving companies, in-state movers cannot be permitted to do business beyond the boundaries of their state of residence.
• Moving companies operate across state borders. Any long-distance certified mover who plans to perform transfers across state lines needs valid permits issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Every interstate mover is issued a USDOT number to serve as proof of their registration done properly.

The government keeps a record of the safety history of a moving company by using the USDOT number. It includes the status of registration, evaluations, and ratings, inspections and investigations into accidents, as well as other information. The shipper of your home’s contents must be concerned about whether or not a moving business is registered with a USDOT number since this indicates the legitimacy of the business, which is the most vital factor. If an interstate moving business has a USDOT number, it signifies that the business has been recognized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), that it adheres to strict federal safety regulations and security, and is properly insured and can be held accountable when customers have complaints or disputes.