Moving is stressful. Items might break, get lost or you might have to deal with a late moving truck. All of these issues can cause stress, but they certainly don't compare to dealing with a fraudulent moving company. Shady movers may try to take advantage of you by holding your items hostage and demanding more money. This is just one of the many types of things a rogue mover may do and it can get as bad as the shady moving company stealing all of your belongings. Here are a few ways to help you avoid getting ripped off by shady movers in Chicago

Do some Research

A little online research can go a long way. It's not hard to dig up consumer reviews and find out whether your mover has the federal seal of approval. You can use protectyourmove.gov to check for the seal and many sites, such as ripoffreport.com will give you reviews of moving companies.

Get Multiple Estimates

Securing more than just one written estimate will give you not only an estimate to compare, but also the interaction with the company. Most of the best moving companies will not provide a firm price online or over the phone. They will provide an estimate free of charge, however.

Price isn't Everything

A low-ball moving estimate may end up costing you in the end. You want to look at more than just the price and choose a moving company with a solid reputation in Chicago.

Avoid Brokers

When you try to hire a mover, you may run into brokers. These are middlemen between you and the mover. They don't own the trucks or provide any moving labor. You want to go directly to the moving company, even if you do go through a broker.

Make Sure they have Insurance

Every reputable moving company should have insurance o cover your goods while in transit. You should look for a "full value protection" policy, which may make the moving company a bit more expensive, but will also provide you with peace of mind.

Don't Skip the Paperwork

If you simply skim the paperwork, you might mist something important. The moving contract may be boring, but you need to read it thoroughly to ensure you understand what you are getting into.

Don't Pay a Large Deposit

None of the top professional moving companies in Chicago charge a large deposit for your move. You don't want to pay a large deposit up front, especially if the mover demands cash. This could be a sign of a shady mover.

Hold onto your Valuables

You don't need to allow the moving company to move important papers, jewelry, cash, coins and other valuables. Instead, ship these items with UPS or FedEx or move them yourself.

There are several good ways to avoid shady movers in Chicago. You don't want to get taken advantage of and if you follow the tips above, you will be in a better position to hire a professional moving company ready like The Professionals Moving Specialists to help you instead of a potential shady mover looking to steal from you.