Times might be tough but…

Rogue movers will stop at nothing.  Fortunately consumer aware seems to have risen in the last few years with all the attention focused on scam movers,  so much so that some of these vultures are now feeding on other movers!  This has occasionally gone on in the moving industry for years, especially when times are tough and times have been tough for movers since the mortgage industry meltdown.   Excuses aside, what comes around goes around and a quick call to the proper authorities will take care of this in short order.

The Scam:  What starts out as an innocuous quote (with a little too much information asked) ends up with some shady dealings the closer the move date approaches.  Mr Smith makes a few calls and fills out a form or two to get several (dozens of) quotes from companies X, Y and Z  to finally settle on company Y with the combination of competitive rates, good mannerisms and reputation.  As move day approaches, company X (who took a little too much information for a simple quote) calls and informs Mr Smith that a required deposit was never received and needs to be collected to  guarantee the truck’s arrival tomorrow.  No problem;  simple oversight and the cards charged/checks off (but no memory of a deposit being discussed at booking).  Company X now has two options; 1) go ahead with the farce and not only keep the deposit, but keep the move as well, by…….step 2) Company X calls company Y posing as Mr Smith canceling the reservation,  thus scoring twice on one scam!

There’s many variations only encumbered by the scammer’s imagination.  One common variation, and probably the most likely, is for the unlucky company who didn’t book the move, to slander any other company upon confirming a job that was never booked in the first place.   Upon “hearing” that the another company was awarded the business when “confirming the job”, company X goes on to slander company Y or whatever company.  This company has heard so many complaints about company _________ it would make your head spin.   It could be any company, and it is, these scammers rely on the customer’s state of confusion and panic immediately prior to the move to acquiesce even possibly knowing something a little fishy might be afoot.  These guy’s sure will make it easy for you and cannot believe any mis-communication like this had taken place and cannot recall the last time it did.  They’re quite sure you booked with them!

To avoid these type situations and avoid being stuck with the wrong movers and possibly no movers come move day (minus deposit), take careful notes when comparing movers.  There is no reason for a mover to need to know much to give a simple estimate, when confronted with a nosy mover ask yourself why anyone would need to know this.  Simple info like phone numbers, email addresses and of course names are necessary but addresses are not until you feel comfortable enough to let this person in your house.  When filling out the Online Spam Factories (quotes from multiple movers) take care NOT to give out too much info  (you have no way of knowing who the site is selling your info to and how many times).   Timeshare solicitors at dinnertime anyone?   Make certain to read their DISCLOSURE NOTICE  to understand how the info you supply will be resold and how many times.   Always ask your mover their Spam policy, and any other business you give personal info to.

Much of what’s written on this blog comes down to good old common sense which make’s it frustrating to see  how many intelligent people fall for these scams when moving.   It’s no surprise really when one considers the stress and time constraints involved when planning a move.  The most opportune time for the scammers to manipulate you when your stressed and already feel all the steps have been taken care of.   Here again is where written estimates and guarantees in writing come in handy.   Even the most proficient of scammers clam up when the customer has their act together and their paperwork in order.