Ways to Check if a Moving Company Is Legitimate

If you’re planning on moving soon, chances are, you’ll want to work with a moving company in some capacity. It’s almost impossible to do a moving job all by yourself or even just with a couple of friends or family members. Hiring a moving company can ease the stress of a move and help give you some peace of mind. That said, sometimes hiring the wrong company can end in a worse moving experience overall. This is why it’s so important to read up and do your homework and check if a moving company is legitimate. Since you will be trusting this moving company to handle some or even all of your belongings, it’s important to know that you’re working with reliable and trustworthy people. 

Most moving companies have established reputations in the areas that they serve, but there is always the chance that you could end up hiring a bad apple. In every industry, there are companies that prey on unassuming customers to get a quick buck without regarding their work with any care. Unfortunately, that means there are plenty of “moving companies” that actively scam customers out of their money and sometimes even their property. 

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the ways that you can verify that the moving company you choose is legitimate. Moving is already a very busy time for you, so it’s important to avoid a company that might give you even more trouble. Read along to learn about some of the ways illegitimate movers might try to scam you.

Moving Company Scams

It’s your job to be vigilant in vetting a company before you decide to hire them. Scammers often get away with what they do because people don’t bother to do much research on advertised companies. 

Unfortunately, we can’t just assume that a company has all of the proper paperwork or that they will be able to get all of your personal belongings from one place to another safely and efficiently. You’ll want to ask for proof of the company’s insurance and licensure. 

Depending on the type of move you’re planning, there are different regulations and rules that moving companies must abide by. If you are moving from one state to another, the company you hire is required to be registered with the United States Department of Transportation. This means that you can check their system to find information about your movers. 

If you’re doing a local move, you’ll need to take a look at your state’s regulations that apply to movers and moving companies. Different states will have different requirements for local movers. 

Easiest Ways to Identify Scamming Companies

There are a lot of obvious red flags that can pop up when working with an illegitimate moving company. If you do a quick Google search of the company you’re looking at working with and nothing comes up about it, this could be the first sign that you shouldn’t hire them. 

A legitimate business almost always will have a website or at least be listed somewhere online. Many scammers will stay off the web in order to avoid unsatisfied reviews from their past customers. It’s best to avoid any company that doesn’t have a website even if it seems like they’re legitimate aside from that. 

In addition to not being online, many scammers will also give you a solid offer on how much it will cost to move your belongings without ever bothering to meet you and see the items they’ll be moving in person. This is a huge red flag. Moving companies should never give you a firm estimate without checking out the items you’ll be moving in person. 

Scammers like to give you an estimate over the phone without seeing your belongings and then change the cost after the fact. To avoid a situation where a mover ups the cost after the move, make sure the company you choose performs an in-person quote. 

Scam Quotes 

The best way to feel out whether or not a moving company is legitimate is to use your common sense. What are the qualities that you think people representing a legitimate business should have? If the movers you’re talking to seem unprofessional, not very communicative, or uninterested in your needs as a customer, these are all red flags.

Even if they are a legitimate business, those are not the qualities you want in a company that you’re hiring to move all of your belongings anyway. There are plenty of authentic moving companies that do have the qualities you’re looking for. It will be a better experience for everyone involved, especially you, to find those legitimate businesses rather than just taking the first option you come across. 

At the end of the day, it’s your money and your property at stake. Most people don’t just trust any random person to take care of either of those things for them, so why should you trust a company you’ve just heard about? It’s important to take your time doing research and reading up on reviews of the company before you hire them. 

Legitimate Moving Companies in Chicagoland

If you’re looking for a reputable company to help you move in the Chicagoland area, consider working with us at Pack-Men Movers. We’re a family-owned and operated moving business that offers a variety of different services. 

We are able to assist you in any way you personally might need. Whether you want us to do all of the work from packing to moving to unpacking or if you only need us to move furniture and other large belongings, we’ve got you covered. 

For more information about the specific moving services we offer or to read up on testimonials from past clients, check out our website. All of the information you need to verify that we run a clean business is readily available, so even if you aren’t moving in the Chicagoland area, our website can be a good example of what to look for in other movers.