3 Ways to Spot a Moving Scam in Dallas
Texas may be a mostly flat state, but that doesn’t mean everyone sees trouble coming from a mile away. Too many folks in this fine region are victims of scams of every kind and from every industry—including moving and storage.
Want to make sure you aren’t taking a risk with your Dallas residential move? Look out for these signs that you’re in danger of working with a company that isn’t legitimate.
- Their offer is too good to be true.
You see signs, ads and junk mail in Dallas touting them all of the time: offers that are simply too good to be true. Things like an extremely low rate, a timeline claim or protection guarantee. These are all bait-and-switch schemes to get you in the door, then surprise you with additional fees after you’ve already committed. Scammers are getting smarter and smarter in the moving industry these days, scamming Dallas-Fort Worth residents with techniques like charging by cubic feet instead of weight, refusing to give an estimate or quote upfront and/or saying they can’t give you a price until the job is completed.
- The company doesn’t have a website or phone number.
Another good sign the DFW mover you’re considering is a scam company is if it doesn’t have an official website or phone number. It’s much easier to stay on the move, cloak a poor reputation and keep people from tracking you if you don’t have your name associated with a phone number or digital space. While it’s more difficult to fall for this scam online (where you can easily verify information and aren’t pressed for time), this industry is full of in-person scammers. Stop them by looking up their website right away, or asking for their phone number and giving it a call. Additionally, if the person doesn’t have a company uniform or vehicle, that’s another red flag.
- Requiring payment upfront.
Quotes upfront? Normal. Payment or deposits upfront? Unusual. Pretty much the only time you’ll see a legitimate mover ask for a deposit is if the schedule is busy and you need a deposit to reserve your spot. But if the Dallas-Fort Worth mover is requiring full payment or a large deposit amount, that’s when you need to start asking questions. What is the deposit for? What does it cover? Is this standard? Any answers that make you feel uneasy are a good sign that it’s time to continue your search.
Make sure the Dallas moving company you hire is legitimate, like IMS Relocation. Contact us today for a no-obligation quote.