Tips On How To Handle Moving Scams

Jul 14, 2022 The relocation process is highly stressful and complicated, so you need the help of professionals. They save your time and ensure the safety of your belongings, which makes the relocation a lot easier. However, it is not easy to find reliable professionals. There are numerous companies in the market that offer moving services, but not all of them are trustworthy. Moving scams are common these days and one of the biggest concerns of people planning to move. According to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, Australians lost more than AUD 2 billion to scams in 2021. It included different types of scams, including moving scams. Therefore, you must know how to deal with such scams. A little bit of research and planning can help you to find reliable removalists Sydney. Here are some useful tips on how to handle moving scams.

Read Online Reviews

One of the best ways to deal with moving scams is by reading online reviews. It will help you to know about the reputation of a company in the market. Read the reviews and feedback of the previous customers and see if they are satisfied with services and is there anything suspicious about the service provider. You can even contact some of these customers to have a better understanding of the services, price and professionals of a company.

Look For Website of the Company

Another way to ensure you are hiring a genuine company is by visiting the company’s website. Any reputed company, irrespective of the field, have an informative website that allows the customers to know about the company, their services, terms and condition, locations they cover and other things. So, you should first explore the website properly. It is one of the basic things to consider while relocating. On the other hand, dishonest companies are least likely to share any information with customers, so they usually do not have a website. A removals company without a proper website is a red flag for you.

Do Not Pay Entire Fees In Advance

Dishonest companies always demand full payment in advance, but you should never do it. It is an indication of a moving scam. You should pay the cost of relocation to the professional only after completing the move and delivery of the belongings. Moreover, you should always use credit or debit cards to make your payments and never use cash as the payment mode. Watch out for unprofessional companies who want a hefty amount as deposits and payments in cash. If you find any suspicious company, register a complaint.

Don’t get lured by Massive Discounts

People often choose those companies that offer their service at the lowest prices or have massive discounts. However, it can lead to a moving scam. Dishonest companies often use this trick to attract customers. They are least concerned about the safety of your belongings and generally have hidden charges. Therefore, you should avoid hiring professionals who offer a price too good to believe. Pay attention to a genuine company instead of the cheap prices. There are many more ways to save money when relocating.

Ask for Insurance and Valuation Protection

A trustworthy removalists Sydney always offers moving insurance for your valuables and household belongings. The service providers who are trustworthy offer two types of moving insurance or valuation – released-value protection and full-value protection! Read all the paperwork relating to the insurance on your possessions, and ensure you have the answer to all the appropriate moving-related inquiries. Before giving your most valuable possessions to someone you don’t know, be on the lookout for fraud and make sure everything is in order.

Avoid Company That Doesn’t Have In-House Staff

When looking for professional removalists in Sydney, make sure you avoid a service provider that doesn’t have in-house staff. It is one of the crucial things to ask when interviewing company. If a removals moving company has in-house staff, it means they are concerned about their reputation in the market. They usually have trained and police-verified professionals. There are also some companies that hire workers on a contract basis. The workers are not trained, and police checked. Allowing such people to take charge of the relocation process can lead to moving scams.

Do not Sign a Contract without Reading

When finalising a removals company, you should never sign a contract that is blank or without reading it correctly. Whether you are confident in your removals company or not, you should always get everything in writing. Always read and fully understand all the points or clauses before signing it. Always request a quote that serves as a legally-binding estimate. Your bond paperwork needs to include all of the predictable expenditures, moving and delivery dates, and additional fees.

Take Away

Protecting yourself from scams is not as difficult as you think it is. With some research and planning, you can hire a genuine removals company in Sydney and prevent moving scams. Always remember that choosing the right service providers can be the difference between a smooth relocation and a nightmare experience. So, whenever you decide to relocate, remember the tips mentioned above while choosing a company.