How to Spot Rogue Movers

Red Flags: Rogue Movers



  1. Finding a Trustworthy Moving Company 
  2. Know Your Price
  3. D.O.T. Number
  4. Arbitration
  5. Get Everything In Writing
  6. Moving Authority Is Eliminating Online Moving Scams
  7. But Wait, There's More!
  8. Does The Company Have An Actual Address?
  9. Did This Company Quote You Significantly Lower Than Others?
  10. Is There No Name On The Moving Truck?
  11. Did You Get Everything In Writing?
  12. How Long Has The Company Been In Business?
  13. Take All Of These Factors Into Consideration

1. Finding a Trustworthy Moving Company 

It is important in any business transaction to know who you can trust. The relationship between the person moving and the movers themselves is a delicate one. When all of your personal items, your memories, and your belonging are in the hands of someone else your anxiety can be high. It is imperative that you keep yourself informed because all moving companies are not created equal. Finding a moving company that you can trust is easy if you know the important key elements to look for.

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2. Know Your Price

Of course, it is a good idea to get a fair price and a good rule of thumb is to get a quote from 3 companies to compare quotes. But beware... if you get quoted a shockingly amazing deal, it probably is too good to be true. If the quote of one moving company is less than half of their competitors you should probably look into the details of this company to be sure they are a real and legally operating moving business. All of these actions, from getting a quote from 3 companies to looking into companies can be done with the help of Moving Authority.

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3. D.O.T Number

A DOT number is something that all legal companies have to prove that they are licensed movers. This stands for the Department of Transportation, a government agency that issues a unique license number to each moving company. Many movers cut costs by not operating with one. Operating without a proper DOT number is illegal. Should something go wrong the company can literally go off into the night, disable their phones and you may never be able to trace that they ever existed (This may sound harsh but these type of occurrences are more common than you think)

4. Arbitration

Ask if they have Arbitration. This is something that all moving companies are legally required to have. An arbitrator is a legally designated mediator that can help to settle any disputes between the movers and the moving company (if they arise) without going to court. If a moving company does not have one, this is another red flag they are not legitimate.

 

5. Get Everything In Writing

If you are making a verbal agreement on the phone but have no written or legally binding and signed paperwork, this is most likely not the price you will end up paying. Since this company will have all your belongings, you will be at their mercy to pay what is almost a ransom for your items to be returned. Proper companies will email you legal forms. READ ALL OF THEM. It's in the small print where you may find something that you don't agree with. Do not sign away your rights to your own stuff!

Make sure you find a list of real moving companies that are reputable and adhere to the above guidelines. The more you know the better you are at making informed decisions.

6. Moving Authority Is Eliminating Online Moving Scams

Online moving scams are on the rise and trap thousands of American families every year. Moving Authority has a mission to educate consumers while at the same time, juggling to help connect people with reliable and trustworthy moving companies. Perfect timing because with summer coming things are going to get warmer summer 2017.

With summer just about to heat up, it means that what is known as moving season has officially begun. May through September is when most people and families move so this is generally the busiest time of year for moving companies. The warmer weather frees up roads from extreme weather conditions and the break in school is often an ideal time to relocate if you have children without them missing any school.

With many moving companies being booked to full capacity during this time it is an ideal scenario for what is known as rogue movers to strike. These moving companies are operating outside the law without the proper paperwork or a proper conscious. Often times they will severely damage, ransom or all together steal your items.

Moving Authority has made it their mission to do a background check on all the moving companies that are reviewed on their site and only connects consumers with reputable moving companies.

In addition, Moving Authority creates helpful and informative articles and videos that help to educate the public on how to spot rogue movers and stay safe during this summer of 2017.

7. But Wait, There's More!

Moving Authority knows that June marks the official start of summer, along with rogue movers in the industry as they attempt to take advantage of unsuspecting customers.

Moving Season, as it is known, is from May-August but June marks the height of the season with the official date of summer coming up on the 20th of this month. Moving Authority wants to remind everyone to stay safe and make sure to hire reputable movers near you.

Moving Authority has always made it their mission to educate the public on how and what to look for when hiring movers. Their website gives you all the information that you need to avoid being a victim of rogue movers this summer.

8. Does The Company Have An Actual Address?

Do they answer their phone with a generic “movers”? This is common for rogue movers because they want to stay vague to avoid being found after they pull their scams.
All moving companies must have a USDOT number, which is a United States Department of Transportation number that means they are a legally registered moving service. This number should be displayed on their website as well as their trucks.

9. Did This Company Quote You Significantly Lower Than Others?

 Usually, a low-ball estimate means that this company cuts cost by cutting corners. Rarely is this the actual price you will pay in the end.

10. Is There No Name On The Moving Truck?

 This is a definite red flag that there is something wrong with this company.

11. Did You Get Everything In Writing?

 Do not let the movers take your things on a ‘handshake’ deal. Legally everything should be in writing and make sure that you have all your paperwork and the companies “moving tariff” which is simply a menu of services and their prices.

12. How Long Has The Company Been In Business?

This is not to say all new movers are suspect. But, in the moving business so many companies come and go, especially over the summer. Most companies will want to display or promote their years of experience as a selling point.

13. Take All Of These Factors Into Consideration

Moving Authority continues to strive to eliminate rogue movers from the marketplace. This is no small task but Moving Authority makes sure to do their homework on each and every moving company that you can find on their site. They don’t list companies at random but rather put in the time and research to make sure the companies match all the legal requirements the United States Department of Transportation sets for them.

Use Moving Authority as a resource so this summer your move is as painless as possible. Hire real moves and save yourself from the common moving scams that plague this industry.