It’s time to move! Your general mood, enthusiasm, organization, and – last but not least – the choice of the moving company determines whether this relocation is a ‘yay’ or ‘nay.’ If you are about to search for a chicago moving company to help you relocate, you have to be mindful that there are scammers out there.
Who are the rogue movers? Rogue movers are the ones whos the only goal is to scam the customers by either charging five times the regular price or stealing the money without providing the service, or sometimes even stealing one’s belongings. It sounds harsh, but that is the scary truth. If you are careful enough and well-informed, you’ll be able to find your way around relocation scam experts. Here are some pieces of advice on how to make sure you avoid the scammers entirely and, if you get into that awkward scamming situation, what to do then.
Do Your Research
Chicago is a big city with vast opportunities. Same goes for the choice of the moving companies – there are so many of them. The Internet is home not only to the certified companies’ websites, but you can also find the web pages of relocation companies that might seem legit, but certainly are not. That is the reason to be extra careful!
There are ways to check whether or not the company is safe. Many people oversee this step, but it’s crucial that you make sure to check the company’s federal motor carrier or USDOT number. You can find this information on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website (FMCSA). This is the best way to check if the company is a registered mover. Also, check if the company has the certification. Other ways to double check is to see if the operators are responsive to your questions – the ones that offer zero answers are the ones you should give up on immediately.
I Got Scammed! What Now?
So, the worst case scenario has happened. Even though you feel like there is no way out, there are a few things you can do.
- First and foremost – call the police. There might be a way to prosecute the scammers, but the first step can’t go without the law enforcement. Stealing either your belongings or money is a crime.
- Even though it might sound excessive, reporting the scam to the local media is effective in drawing a lot of attention to the problem. When the media is involved, there is more chance that you will solve your issue faster.
- Registering the scam on the FMCSA’s website would be a logical next step. This will be a way to make others know about your issue and help others not to get scammed as you did.
- Finally, this serves you as a huge life lesson. If something sounds like a super cheap deal, it can be alluring and dangerous. Check your facts before you end up paying a much bigger price. You can never be too cautious or silly by asking too many questions and investigating too much.
