Relocating a house or office is already a stressful task, and when you realise that your chosen packers and movers are a scam, it makes the situation much worse.
The potential customers must research about the company in order to prevent such fraudulent practices.
Selecting the right packers and movers is crucial for a seamless packers and movers is critical for a smooth and stress-free relocation experience.
This article highlights the key warning signs of scam packers and movers, along with essential tips to help you make a safe and informed choice.
Warning Signs of Fake Packers and Movers
Large advance payments and cash demands
Usually, the apps providing packers and movers services also provide their customers with digital payment options.
Scammers may ask for advance payments, claiming it's required for the following.
- Vehicle Booking
- Labour Arrangements
- Fuel expenses
- Slot Confirmation
Once they receive money, they may disappear without providing the services and increase the charges abruptly.
The customers have to act very vigilantly as a proper research on the company shall be done beforehand.
Must Read: Common Problems Tenants Face When Moving into a New Rental Home
No Drop-off Document Verification
Legitimate companies will always provide a formal contract that will mention details about the pick-up and drop location, price, goods to be transferred, cost breakdown, and GST.
The drivers and the customers are even verified on the basis of the AADHAAR card, but scammers may not undertake document verification.
The scammer companies will not provide the following details about the companies.
- Companies Registration Details
- Address of the Office
- GST number
- Employee Identification Cards
Overly Consumer-Friendly Prices
While competitive pricing is essential to compete with the competitors and attract customers but extremely low prices are something to worry about.
Fraudulent companies often use extremely low prices to trap customers.
Such companies may disappear with the goods or may ask to share OTP or offer extremely low service quality.
For example, such scammer companies may charge just ₹5000 for intercity office shifting from Bangalore to Delhi.
The real reason for such low prices is the following :
- Hidden Charges
- Delayed Deliveries
- Theft of goods
- Loss of Valuables
Also Read: Top 7 Things to Know Before Hiring Packers and Movers in India
Fake Reviews
Customers rely on online reviews to choose service providers wisely.
However, fraudulent companies may take the help of fake reviews to build customer loyalty.
To identify fake reviews, one must take care of the following :
- Repetitive and similar languages
- Reviews copied from Google
- Non-organic reviews, i.e., making multiple fake accounts
- Posted in a short period
Fake reviews are not just misleading, but they are also unethical practices that raise various legal concerns.
Ambiguous Timelines
When packers and movers fail to provide a clear timeline, it is not always due to inefficient planning but rather a deliberate plan to deceive customers.
Scammer companies often use timelines as a tactic to persuade consumers.
Once your belongings are picked up and you're reliant on them, the moving company may intentionally delay the delivery.
These companies may charge an extra amount to customers in the name of
logistics issues.
Refusal to give a delivery date will increase uncertainties among the customers, which will impact the brand image.
Tips to Protect Yourself from Scams
You should look for genuine customer feedback to ensure that your chosen packers and movers are legitimate.
Verify Company Credentials
Ask for the registration documents of the company and check for GST and PAN details.
Ask for a proper bill.
Never sign a blank or incomplete document, and must ask for a formal bill with a quoted price.
BOXnMOVE always goes through formal documentation and transparent pricing methods.
Report any suspicious activity.
If you suspect fraud, report it to local consumer protection authorities, police, or online grievance portals.
What to do if you are scammed?
Gather all evidence
Before taking legal steps, all the relevant documents such as payment receipts, communication records, truck vehicle numbers, etc.
Send a legal notice
Engage a local advocate to send the legal notice to the fraudulent packers and movers company and state clearly about your damages.
File a complaint with the police.
You can visit your nearest police station to lodge an FIR complaint for cheating and fraud.
Approach the consumer forum.
You can also approach the consumer forum to complain against such fraudulent companies under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Wrapping up, we can see that falling victim to fraudulent packers and movers can be a nightmare, so staying alert and vigilant can protect you from such scams and cheating.
One of the smartest ways to avoid such scams is to choose reliable and trusted platforms. BOXnMOVE provides its customers with real customer reviews, upfront pricing, and secure booking systems; such platforms ensure peace of mind throughout your moving journey.
Always remember - when it comes to shifting, safety and trust should never be compromised.
FAQs about the packers and movers scam in India
What are the early signs of a scam?
Early signs of scams in the packers and movers industry are a lack of formal documentation, extremely low prices, and cash payments only.
How shall I file a complaint against such scams?
Customers can file a complaint in the consumer court, grievance redressal portals, and social media portals.
How to judge the app’s credibility?
App's credibility can be judged on the basis of details provided by the company, reviews, and fair pricing methods.
Can I get compensated for the loss of my goods?
Yes, you can be compensated for the loss of goods through legal actions. Keep all the receipts regarding the transaction.
Should I pay the full amount in cash?
No, trusted apps generally don't ask for the complete amount in cash. Apps may ask for the rest amount after the delivery.