How to Spot Genuine Packers and Movers in a Market Full of Frauds
These days, if you search online for packers and movers, you’ll find hundreds of names showing up. Some look fancy, some give low prices, and a few even promise “100% safe shifting.” But behind all that, not every mover is real or trustworthy.
There are many fake or half-professional ones who only appear nice online – and once you book them, the story changes.
That’s why it’s so important to know how to tell who’s genuine and who’s not. A little checking before booking can save you from a big headache later.
Here’s how you can do it.
Check the Basics First
Every genuine moving company will have proper details – a working phone number, office address, and registered company name. If you can’t find their address or if they avoid telling it, that’s your first red flag.
Sometimes these fake movers only operate through WhatsApp or a random website without giving any official details.
Try calling the number at different times of the day. Genuine ones always have someone to answer or call back. Fake ones usually go silent after a few conversations.
Visit or Video Check Their Office
You don’t always have to go there physically – even a short video call is enough. Ask them to show their office space, trucks, or packing materials. Real movers have a proper setup. They won’t hesitate to show how they work. But if they start avoiding or giving excuses like “sir, we are shifting warehouse” or “office under renovation,” it’s better to stay cautious.
Seeing their actual place (even online) gives a sense of trust. You’ll know they are not just another one-day company created to take bookings.
Look Beyond Google Ratings
Online ratings are useful, but they don’t tell the whole story. Some fake movers pay people to write good reviews. You’ll see 10–20 five-star reviews with short lines like “good service,” “nice shifting,” “best movers.” But when you read carefully, all reviews look similar. That’s a big clue they’re not genuine.
Instead, read the longer reviews – the ones where people describe real experiences. If someone mentions names of staff, locations, or small incidents, that’s a sign the review is real.
You can also check reviews on multiple sites, not just Google – that helps you see if the pattern matches or not.
Verify Their Registration and Documents
Every genuine mover should have a valid GST number, company registration, and transport license. Ask for these documents directly – there’s nothing rude about it.
If they hesitate or say “we’ll send later,” that’s suspicious. Real ones share their papers confidently.
You can easily verify GST numbers online on the government website. It just takes a few minutes and tells you if the company is officially active or not.
Compare Prices, But Don’t Run After Cheap Quotes
In India, this is where most people get trapped. One mover says ?15,000, another says ?8,000, and we quickly go for the cheaper one. But very often, cheap quotes mean something is missing – maybe they’ll use poor packing materials or add “extra charges” later.
Always ask for a written estimate that clearly lists what’s included - packing, loading, transport, unloading, and taxes.
Genuine companies are open about costs. Fraudsters avoid giving written quotes and later start adding things like “labour charges” or “stairs charges.”
Talk to Them, Don’t Just Chat
You can tell a lot by talking to the agents. Real movers sound clear and confident. They’ll ask about your items, floor level, lift access, and moving date. Fake ones usually rush the call or promise everything without even asking for details. If someone says, “sir, don’t worry, we’ll manage, no problem”, without listening to what you said, it’s a bad sign.
A short, proper conversation tells you if the person actually understands this work or is just trying to book blindly.
Ask About Insurance
Every genuine mover offers basic insurance for your goods. Even if you don’t take it, they’ll explain what it covers. Fraud movers avoid this topic or say “no need, nothing will happen.” That’s a trick to escape responsibility later if something breaks or gets lost.
Always ask for the insurance paper copy. If they can’t show it, better not to continue.
Check How They Handle Packing
This one shows their true professionalism. Ask them what materials they use – bubble wrap, foam sheets, cartons, etc. Fake movers will often say “normal packing, sir” or “we’ll manage locally.” That usually means poor-quality materials or even reused boxes.
Some professional movers even offer to send photos of their packing process. It’s a good sign. Remember, most damages happen because of bad packing, not during travel.
See How They Communicate
Real movers stay in touch properly. They share details like truck number, driver’s contact, and estimated timing. If someone avoids giving information or keeps saying “truck on the way” again and again without clear answers, it’s usually a scam.
Also, notice their attitude – genuine teams talk respectfully and patiently. Fraud ones lose their temper quickly when you ask too many questions.
Ask Around Locally
Even today, word of mouth works better than online ads in India. Ask your friends, neighbours, or colleagues if they’ve used any movers recently. A real person’s feedback is always more valuable than a website review.
If a company has been around for a while, people nearby will know them. Fraud ones usually change names every few months to hide bad reviews.
Look for Red Flags Early
There are a few common warning signs that you should never ignore:
They ask for full payment before starting work.
They refuse to share official bills or company ID.
Their website has no real address or photos.
They ask to pay into a personal account instead of the company name.
If you see even one or two of these, walk away. Don’t take chances with your household items.
Observe How They Work on the Day
On the actual shifting day, you can easily see who’s professional and who’s not. A proper team arrives on time, brings packing material, and starts work quietly. They don’t rush or keep asking for help. Fraud ones, on the other hand, show up late, come unprepared, or bring fewer people than promised.
If you sense something off, stop the work right away before they load anything.
Always Keep a Written Record
Keep a copy of everything - quote, invoice, and communication messages. Fraud movers often try to change words later, like “we didn’t say that” or “extra charge for this.”
Having a written record protects you if anything goes wrong later.
Don’t Fall for Fancy Words
Some movers use English-speaking call agents or show fake “awards” on their site to look big. Don’t get impressed by that. A small local mover with proper papers and honest service is far better than a fake “international” one with false promises.
Look at their actions – not how polished their words sound.
Trust Your Instincts
Sometimes, even after all checks, you just get a strange feeling that something is wrong. Don’t ignore it. If they sound too pushy, changes details last minute, or offer big discounts suddenly, it’s better to step back. Trust your gut. It’s right most of the time.
Finding genuine packers and movers is not about luck. It’s about paying attention to small signs. Real companies stay open, patient, and transparent. Fake ones hide behind excuses and rush to close deals.
If you take 15–20 minutes to verify these things, you’ll easily know who’s real and who’s not.
In the end, shifting should be a simple and safe process – not a stressful one. So, before you hand over your things to anyone, make sure you know who’s actually holding them.