How to Prevent Moving Company Scams
As we move into late summer and the early fall season, people all over the Great Toronto Area are busy moving. This time of year is busy for a variety of reasons such as:
- It can be easier to move while the kids are on break if they are older since they can help with packing and/or unpacking.
- University and college students are moving back into dorms and college housing.
- Most rental agreements and leases tend to end in August or September.
- More people buy homes in the summer compared to other times of the year and their closing and move-in typically falls in August or September.
Whether you are moving across town, relocating elsewhere within Ontario, or moving to a new province, you need to be aware of different moving company scams and how to prevent them.
Common Moving Schemes
There are many types of schemes scammers will use to get your money and/or property. There have even been cases where people have arrived at their new homes and the movers they trusted, never arrived with their belongings – ever. To protect yourself and your property, watch out these scams where the scammers will:
- Only offers quotes over the phone. This trick is to avoid providing a signed moving quote/agreement. When the movers arrive, they change how much it will cost, leaving you stuck paying whatever they want to charge.
- Require you to sign a blank contract/moving agreement. The mover will verbally give you a price for your move. But then, asks you to sign a blank contract/moving agreement they will fill in with the prices they just quoted. However, they actually change the prices and write in whatever amount they want.
- Add on additional fees and charges for every little thing. When the mover arrives, they have a list of “surcharges” such as fees for carrying items up or down stairs or charging a driver’s fee or an additional mover’s fee.
- Require you to pay for the move in full upon arrival. This scam could result in losing your money along with all of your property. The mover now has no obligation to show up at your new home. They have your cash and your belongings.
- Demand you pay an upfront cash deposit. Scams like this typically mean the mover will never show up on moving day, or they call and demand more money to move you and tell you your deposit is non-refundable.
- Change the costs for your move after all your items are loaded onto the truck.Another fiendish scheme is to hold your property ransom and demand double or even triple the original rate they quoted you.
The easiest way to avoid becoming the victim of a scammer is to hire a reliable and reputable moving company, like us at Accurate Movers. We are fully licensed and insured and offer free moving quotes and signed moving agreements. For peace of mind and a stress-free move, call us at 416-907-8545 today!
