Moving Scams in India - How to avoid them

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Moving Scams in India – How to avoid them
House Shifters > Expert Tips > Moving Scams in India – How to avoid them

Common Moving Scams in India - Beware of Fraudulent Movers

Moving has become an essential stage of life that takes people toward success and growth. People move within their state, or out of state, or sometimes internationally, and to make their move easy, they try to find the best movers near them. Earlier, the relocation is handled by the person moving out and with the help of his family and friends. But today, they look online for “movers near me”. The relocation journey is dependent on the services provided by the mover they hire.

When a person hires a moving company for any moving service, they put their faith in them. However, only a few relocation service providers in India can be trusted. In recent years, moving companies have scammed customers in many ways. Moving scams have become a significant problem in India, where people are falling victim to fraudulent moving companies.

Moving has become an essential stage of life that takes people toward success and growth. People move within their state, or out of state, or sometimes internationally, and to make their move easy, they try to find the best movers near them. Earlier, the relocation is handled by the person moving out and with the help of his family and friends. But today, they look online for “movers near me”. The relocation journey is dependent on the services provided by the mover they hire.

When a person hires a moving company for any moving service, they put their faith in them. However, only a few relocation service providers in India can be trusted. In recent years, moving companies have scammed customers in many ways. Moving scams have become a significant problem in India, where people are falling victim to fraudulent moving companies.

What different types of moving scams are common in India?

Scammers are using various tactics to cheat people which results in financial loss, emotional distress, and more. Here, we have listed some common tactics that fraudulent moving companies are employing –

  • Lowball Moving estimates
    Most fraudulent moving companies offer low rates on moving to attract customers. Once they get the job, they will increase the charges at the last moment by adding hidden fees and additional charges.
  • Unprofessional services
    Those moving companies who scam their customers either do not show up on the moving day or assign untrained staff to handle the move.
  • Non-existing insurance
    Moving companies also scam people by claiming that they will provide moving insurance but do not provide any documentation or compensation in case of damage or loss.
  • Missing goods or damaged items
    Fraud movers are not trained to handle different types of items like fragile or delicate electronics. There are high chances of damages to the items due to improper handling.

What are the ways to avoid moving scams in India?

As we learned there are many ways a moving company can scam their customers. But there are a few ways you can avoid being the victim of such scams. Here we have listed a few tips to identify the scammers and avoid the scams –

  • Verify the documents
    When you hire a moving company, you put all your trust in them, and it is better to check their legal documentation. Before hiring a moving company ask them to provide their legal documents including a GST registration certificate, PAN Card, and company incorporation certificate. These documents can help you identify the authenticity of the moving company.
  • Check the online presence of movers
    These days, moving companies have their business websites. So before picking any mover check out their website and dig out some details. If the mover is legitimate, they will have a correct contact number and address. They will also display their license details on the website. Scammers can also have websites, so you have to check thoroughly.
  • Visit the office of the mover
    If the mover you are hiring is not a scammer, then you can find a physical office of that moving company. A physical office symbolizes that the company is reliable and trustworthy. If you visit their office, you can check their facilities and how they interact with the customers. You can check the equipment, trucks, and other moving supplies, and their availability.
  • Read reviews
    A review from a previous customer is a kind of reflection of the services offered by the moving companies. So, explore the legitimacy of your mover by reading the reviews and feedback provided by previous customers. These reviews can help you find out whether the moving company is a scammer or not.
  • Always ask for a written moving estimate
    If you are requesting your mover for a moving estimate and they avoid providing you a written estimate then it is a red flag. This means the moving company is scamming you by providing you with moving estimates verbally.
    If your moving company provides a written estimate, then check for some details on the moving estimate including –

    • Name of the mover, licenses, and insurance details
    • Contact details of the moving company
    • Consigner and consignee addresses
    • Different costs must be mentioned
    • Total cost of the move

Make sure that your moving estimate has all such information and licensing details.

  • Ask about hidden charges
    Most moving companies who scam their customer impose last-minute hidden charges. So, when the mover provides you a moving quote ask them to add all the moving costs and you will not pay for any extra charges added at the last minute of the move.
  • Avoid low-cost moving estimate
    Moving companies offering low-cost moving services can be considered the biggest scam in the moving industry. This is the technique of the fraud movers for attracting customers and scamming them by asking for more money at the last moment. So, don’t fall for low rates and avoid getting scammed by the fraud movers.
  • Get documents for Insurance
    Moving companies across the country offer moving insurance to ensure the safety of your belongings. Some moving companies scam their customer by saying that all the belongings are insured during the relocation but they do not provide any document of such insurance. In the end, you will bear the financial and emotional loss.
  • Extra packing costs
    Some moving companies scam you by asking for more money in the name of packing supplies. However, such movers do not provide any special packing supplies. So do not pay any money for packing supplies.
  • Never pay in advance
    A legitimate moving company does not ask for any advance at the time of booking the move. If your mover asks for some advance deposit then this company cannot be trusted for the move.

How to hire a reliable and trusted moving company?

The best way to hire a reliable and trusted mover is to connect with House Shifters. We have a network of verified and trusted movers who can help you relocate to any part of the country. Get your moving quote anytime.

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