Moving Scam

Moving Scam: What to Do When You Spot a Relocation Fraud?

Each year, several people get trapped by rogue movers or scammers and lose hundreds of dollars. Nearly 4,000 complaints of moving frauds come from the United States only. If you don’t pay attention and forget to research your potential residential movers in San Diego, then odds are higher for you to be caught in a moving scam.

However, not all moving companies are dishonest. As per the statistical standpoint, the rate of fraud is lesser than successful relocations in the US. For example, out of millions of cases of home and office moving, nearly 90% of moves go off without any problems. Thus, we can say that only 10% of Americans face challenges when moving from one place to another.

If you don’t want to be counted among them, knowing about your moving company is the best way to have a positive experience.

Are you wondering if there is any exit if someone gets scammed?

We know victims of moving scams often lose hope, but there is still light behind the darkness. If you’re curious to know how to deal with a situation like this, then keep reading. But before getting involved in this, you need to get yourself familiar with things that do not count as a moving scam.

What is NOT a moving scam?

Although you can lodge a complaint about a moving fraud and take legal action against it, minor inconveniences are common to occur and are not liable for any legal action. Let’s look at each one of them.

  • Minor dents and scratches

When loading or unloading, the moving boxes, furniture, and appliances get bumped into trucks, walls, etc. So, if your belongings have any minor damage, such as dents, scratches, and gouges, it’s not something unusual.

  • Delayed deliveries

You may also expect delayed delivery of your valuables. Well, several reasons result in late deliveries, including accidents and nasty weather conditions like rain, storm, and landslide.

  • Minor cost increase

If you experience a negligible cost increase in your final moving bill, it will not be counted as a moving scam. It could be due to an inaccurate initial estimate.

Besides this, losing inexpensive things is another everyday occurrence during moving home or office. Of course, you cannot file a complaint about losing minor stuff like a box of dish towels or a first aid box.

So, when is the right time to file a complaint against the moving company legally? Well, you can take legal action against your apartment movers in San Diego, when:

  • They charge you a remarkably high final price
  • They hold your items hostage until you pay the demanded payment

What to do if you get scammed?

If you fall in any of these situations, here’s what you can do next:

  • Register a complaint with the company

Please remember, if you get preyed upon by a fraudster, filing a complaint with them will not bring any positive outcome. After all, why would a company help you if their motive is to scam you? But it will help you if the “big scam” is caused by a reputable moving company due to a misunderstanding or miscommunication. In such cases, your movers will take some steps to resolve the issue, such as mutually agreeable compromises. But if the moving company doesn’t do anything after you state your intentions politely, take a stand for yourself and fight for your rights.

  • Lodge your complaint with certified organizations

While it’s not an easy win to fight against a moving fraudulent, approaching the right organizations can help find the right path to do so. There are various options that you can choose from to file your complaints, such as the Better Business Bureau, American Moving and Storage Association, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and more.

  • Sue them to the court

If you have no option left with you, then it is advisable to take your moving scammer to the small claims court. However, before taking this step, there are a few things you need to consider, such as:

  • The money investment in terms of legal fees and being absent from the work
    • The effort and time you require
    • The expected compensation if you win the case
    • Additional stress and pressure
  • Take it to the internet

Let’s say you filed a complaint with your moving company, certified organizations for movers, and took them to court, but you failed to get the fair compensation for the loss or fraud. Now, what next? Well, in the end, you can take it to social media and discussion forums to share your experience and expose a dishonest moving company.

All thanks to the technology today, writing an online review or testimonial has become more convenient than ever. You can choose Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or even Google to expose a lousy moving company. Nowadays, whether online or off-line, businesses depend on their online ratings and reviews to attract more customers. After all, in this digital era, customers prefer using their smartphones, tabs, or laptops for fetching information about businesses before purchasing products or services.

However, keep in note that no matter how tempting it may be to write a review as worse as possible, it is best to use a professional tone and back it with facts. Plus, it should sound genuine and honest.

In closing

Lastly, keep in mind that prevention is better than cure. Therefore, whether it’s your first time or twentieth time for relocating home, carefully venting your potential moving company is crucial to prevent any moving scams or frauds. Also, make sure your prospective movers that suit your needs and budget.

As a rule, always get multiple quotes from the top apartment movers in San Diego and compare the price and services before making a final decision.

Are you searching for one of the best moving and storage companies in San Diego that offer services at an affordable price? Eckert’s Moving and Storage have you covered. We house a team of professionals that have years of experience and expertise in the field.