If you are looking for a Denver mover, you may have read bad reviews or heard horror stories of movers who turned out to be fraudsters. It can be daunting to sort through moving companies in Denver trying to determine which one you can trust. From overcharging to carelessness to theft to holding belongings hostage, there are any number of rip-offs out there to be wary of.

Here are seven ways you can spot a moving scammer right away and avoid getting taken for a ride.

1. They Offer A Quote Over the Phone

No one should ever offer a price over the phone. It’s the first sign that the moving company is not professional. Without seeing what they are moving, a reputable mover can’t give an accurate estimate. They need to see things like door widths, stairways, road entrances and exits, and the types of things they will be moving. Without eyes on the site, they cannot know how much manpower, packing materials or even the size of the moving vehicle they need to bring.

2. They Say They’ll Determine the Price After Loading

If a mover says that they will make a final price determination based on how much space is used on the truck, run. You should always know exactly how much the move will cost you before one box is moved.

3. They Offer To Beat Anyone’s Price

While no one wants to pay more for anything than they need to, when it comes to moving, cheap should not be your first consideration. Get at least three quotes on your move. If one comes up significantly less expensive than all the rest, beware. What seems inexpensive at first can end up costing you more when items are broken in transit, or worse your goods are held hostage for more money. Some scammers give a low price up front and then ask for several thousand dollars more once they have your things.

4. They Tell You That You Don’t Have To Be Present

You wouldn’t let a stranger wander into your house and start taking things, so don’t trust a mover who says, “We got this; you don’t need to be here.” Scammers are happy when you make their job easier by not being there to watch them steal your belongings.

5. They Don’t Have Any Reviews

Scammers will give you a perfectly reasonable explanation for not having any reviews. They will say they are a new business or that they recently changed their name. Don’t believe it. A reputable, professional mover has been in business several years and has a history of satisfied customers

6. They Want You To Sign An Incomplete Contract

If they say they will “fill in the rest later” don’t sign it. You should understand everything on the contract and every piece of it should be complete before you sign.

7. They Aren’t Registered

Fraudsters generally avoid governmental bodies, so they often aren’t registered with either the Federal Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) or the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and can’t show you their U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) or PUC number. Movers in Denver must be registered with both of these entities. In Colorado, you can look up the moving company and see if they are registered on the Colorado PUC website.

Moving scammers give everyone in our business a bad name. However, the more you know about their tricks, the easier it is to avoid them. If you want to be assured you’re working with a reputable mover, contact us for a free estimate. Amazing Moves has been in business 14 years. We are fully licensed, insured, and registered in good standing with both federal and state authorities. We take pride in our customer service and are committed to making your move amazing.