Exposed: Moving Services Scams and how they are played;

The Games Some Moving Services Play

Con artists have proliferated on the internet through the years, no thanks to the easy access, which this virtual phenomenon provides to victims and scammers alike.  In a world of unabridged freedom to post anything online, scammers have plied their trade with almost perfect precision of a winner, in fact, winning has never been easier.  Where anyone can create several identities at one time, enlist phony personal and professional details, address and contact nos., the internet is indeed a fast lane where the ignorant often ends up with the shorter stick.

http://www.moving-van-lines.com”>Moving servicesare no exception.  They have in their roster, a growing list of complaints arising from the simplest con act perpetrated online to the most outrageous scam started online and perfected in real time.

Here are 3 profiles of a scam perpetrated by some moving companies.  You can protect yourself by making sure you deal only with the most credible moving company; when in Florida, you may check on a list of http://www.moving-van-lines.com/long-distance.htm”>Florida Residential Moving Companies -only moving services with proven track record get listed.

Seeing Double.   To avoid this scam, make sure that you have prior notice when the  http://www.moving-van-line.com”>moving company delivers your belongings to the new address and arrange for someone, in case you are not available, to receive them.  You should also request an explanation on the word “undeliverable”.  Confusion springs from the use of this word, and oftentimes, this serves as the launching pad of a scam.  When items are considered “undeliverable”, a moving services company can put these up for storage; you can only claim your items back upon payment of storage fees, fines or service charges.  

But where’s the scam? Some of these moving companies set up storage facilities, too, thus when your belongings are classified as “undeliverable”, these go straight to the storage facility, likewise owned by the moving company.  This robs you of choice and perpetuates a scam on unwitting victims, like yourself.

The Mistaken Identity.  It can start with an innocent-looking moving company website:  professionally-laid out designs, interesting content and links – everything, but the truth.  You could be dealing with a broker, not the owner of the moving company.  Watch your step!

This is one of the risks you take when dealing with a http://www.moving-van-lines.com/storage.htm”> moving storage company online – you’ll never get the clue who you are talking to.  That is why, it is often advisable to follow it up in real time, by calling their office telephone nos. or pay them a personal visit.  Online transactions are advisable with more established companies that have proven track record, those which have gathered “moss” so to speak.  For neophyte companies, it is always advisable to seek referrals first.

Scam enters the frame when a moving broker purports to be the owner of the moving company, oftentimes with the aid of a well-thought of website for the purpose.  He charges more, as he is actually operates as a middleman.  Worse, he oftentimes collects money in advance from his unsuspecting client, refers him to an affiliate at reduced rates while he keeps the bigger percentage to himself.

The Missing Link.

Brokering per se is not illegal; in fact, brokers can save you time, money and efforts by doing the “walk” for you, while you focus on the more important matters requiring your attention.  What smears the image of moving brokers is still the inherent greed apparent in some men, which collapses the trust of the public on everyone else.

As a middleman between the moving customer and the moving services company, a moving broker’s main task is to locate a good mover for a client who needs it and vice versa.  In the latter, the moving broker may already have a network of affiliate- moving companies that he can readily tap or where he submits his leads up to for bidding.

In this set-up, a moving broker earns a two-pronged income: he collects a broker’s fee  from the moving client  and also receives commission from the moving company for his leads.  The problem arises, when the moving broker fails to make the right connection: delivery problems can ensue, such as delay, loss or damage on the items while the broker makes his way to the bank!

The Hostage Taker.

This is highway robbery in broad daylight, which starts out with an unassuming moving and storage quote.

As the client comparison shops among moving companies by requesting free quotes from them, a low-budgeted quotation can knock her off and send her to sign the papers.  During loading time, she’s aghast to find out that the moving company charges her more!  When she refuses to pay, her goods shall be locked up, until she raises the money. 

STOP PLAYING THE ROLE OF A VICTIM.

To avoid scam, http://www.moving-van-lines.com/local.htm”>Find Local Moving Companies Contractors in your area.  Transacting locally is safer because your relatives or friends may have already been served by some moving companies in your area and they can offer you a first-hand account.  It would also be easier for you to track the official place of business, in case there are problems pertaining to your moving agreement.  It is common sense that you demand an explanation for any grey area in your contract, before you affix your signature and make it a binding transaction.  Yes, READ before you sign.

Be always vigilant.   Observe.  Don’t rush - sometimes, it is better to tarry, than be sorry.