The moving scam may occur when people are preoccupied or stressed
out enough to come into good faith with con companies, and the people
are uneducated about the moving process. Dishonest people can promise
low prices to lure the customer in and ask you for more money later, or
just take away your things. As unbelievable as it may sound, these scams
are more widespread than you may think they could be and can occur
both in major cities and small towns. The key to defence is finding out
how and why they happen in the first place. Most of the time, the victims
are those individuals who do not do proper research or do a last-minute
hiring of a mover.
Check for Company Credentials
Pay attention to the fact that before you hire a local moving company
in Canada, it should be licensed and insured. The credible companies
shall be listed with the local authorities and shall have evidence of
insurance. You can also see whether they are on the list of the Canadian
Association of Movers (CAM). It is advisable to stay away from a company
that does not offer its license number or insurance information. A
professional mover will never hesitate to give a clear picture of their
qualifications.
Read Reviews and Ask for References
A good way of finding out what a moving company is like is through online
reviews. Consider visiting websites such as Google, Yelp or Better
Business Bureau (BBB) and get the truthful feedback. Take care to avoid
a company that only has five-star reviews without any evidence
behind them. In addition, request a previous customer reference of
the company with whom you can connect. Authentic clients will provide
you with a better perception of what to expect and how the company
treats the problems.
Watch Out for Red Flags
There are red flags that you can look out for to identify a scam in advance.
They include making huge deposits before the relocation, signing no
written agreements or making attempts to pose a phone number that is
not accompanied by a physical address. Other suspicious things are the
movers who do not respond to questions or who push you into signing.
When they provide unclear responses or modify their quote without
justification, then the company should move on to the next one.
Always Get a Written Estimate
Getting a written estimate is one of the surest ways of preventing the scam.
Ensure that it includes the services it offers, their prices, and any extra fees
that may arise. No handshake deals or verbal agreements should happen
since there is no offer of any protection in case things fail to work out. The
most sure safeguard is a written estimate, which forms a binding contract,
and this is particularly applicable when the move is large. Do not forget
to inquire whether the quote is binding or just an estimate, because this
will make a difference in the final cost.
Verify the Company’s Address and Contact Info
Genuine moving companies should also possess a right business address,
a website, and an operational phone number. Stop by their office to see
for yourself, or search for them on Google Maps to know their whereabouts.
The scammers usually make use of false or short-lived addresses to evade
being tracked. This would be shown by professionalism and dependability,
as there is a well-maintained website and contacting the company has
several avenues.
Never Pay the Full Amount Upfront
A mover who has granted you their confidence will never demand that you
give them all the money first before they can work. The majority of
trustworthy companies will require a small down payment in order to hold
your moving date, and the rest will be paid at the end. Should one insist
they pay all the money up front, in cash or online, to drop something, then
leave? This is a major trick of a scam, and you may lose forever your
money or your possessions.
Final Thoughts
Selecting local movers in Canada does not have to be a risky endeavour
when the corresponding steps are taken. Do your homework, ask questions,
and everything must be in writing. Here are red flags to look out for, and
only trust companies that have proven experience and whose credentials
are in order. When you are informed and watchful, it will help you to
prevent any fraud and have a stress-free move. It is always safer to
take an additional time in front and not afterwards to treat a
moving disaster.
FAQs
Q1: Is it prevalent in Canada to fall for a scam?
Unfortunately, yes. Although most of these moving companies are on the
level, scams do occur, particularly at peak seasons when people are pressed.
Q2: How can I make sure that a move is not a fake?
License, insurance and references have to be verified. In addition, do
research on them online and read honest reviews.
Q3: How do I deal with a scam that I suspect?
Denounce the firm to local authorities, the Canadian Association of Movers
(CAM) and even launch a complaint with Better Business Bureau (BBB).