How to Steer Clear of Long Distance Moving Scams
Moving away from Miramar is complicated, costly, and stressful. You have so much going on right now, that it’s hard to keep track of everything. Unfortunately, when you’re smack dab in the middle of a major life change like a long distance move, you’re in a position where you could be easy to take advantage of. Unfortunately, there are some pretty shady people out there, and some of them prey specifically on people dealing with long distance moving. Moving scams exist, and they’re more common than you’d think.
There are several types of long distance moving scams, characterized by fraudulent activity designed to get as much money out of you as possible in a dishonest way. Here are some of the things you need to watch out for when you’re planning your move and hiring a long distance moving company.
Fake Reviews and Credentials
Social proof, in the form of customer reviews, is important for people choosing any kind of service company. Moving companies know this, and many of them have their employees post fake positive reviews. This might seem rather innocuous, but if a company has trouble getting good reviews from real customers, it’s probably a red flag. For this reason, it’s often better to choose a moving company based on other people’s recommendations instead. Take any suspiciously super-positive review with a grain of salt, especially if it sounds kind of “off.” You can also look at third party reviews sites to get a less biased picture of a company’s quality — although it’s worth keeping in mind that Yelp is known for shady tactics against small businesses.
Low-Ball Estimates
If the price seems too good to be true, it might be a sign that something’s fishy. Moving companies need to pay their employees and make a profit, so there’s a limit to how inexpensively they can provide their services. If someone gives you an estimate much lower than your competitors, ask them why.
Goods Held Hostage
This is one of the worst types of moving scams, and it happens more often than you might think. What happens is that after moving long distance, you realized your belongings haven’t arrived. That’s because the company is holding them hostage. They demand an extra fee if you want them delivered. To make matters worse, valuable items might very well end up disappearing in the process.
Please keep in mind that this isn’t just shady or dishonest — it’s illegal. You are fully within your rights to call the police and report the fraudulent company. Afterward, you can also file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation.
These are just a few of the moving scams that happen from time to time in South Florida. To stay protected, make sure to do your research when looking for a reputable long distance moving company. A little legwork and some Google-Fu, plus some common sense and situational awareness, could save you a lot of money and spare you a serious hassle.