Genuine vs Fake Packers and Movers: 12 Warning Signs to Check

Most moving companies are ordinary businesses doing honest work. A few are not: they quote low to win the booking, then hold goods back until more money is paid, or take an advance and stop answering the phone. The good news is that a genuine mover is easy to check, and a fake one usually fails the same few tests.

Here are twelve warning signs, the checks that separate genuine packers and movers from fake ones, and what to do if a firm is using a name you recognise.

12 warning signs of a fake or unreliable mover

1. No office you can find or visit

A genuine mover has an address that appears on its quote, its invoice and a map. Be cautious if the firm only talks on WhatsApp, gives a vague location or refuses a visit.

2. No GSTIN, or one that does not match

Ask for the GSTIN and search it on the official GST portal using "Search Taxpayer". The legal or trade name and state should match the company you are dealing with. A number registered to a different name is a serious warning.

3. A price far below everyone else

If one quote is dramatically lower than three others for the same job, something is missing from it. The gap is usually recovered on moving day as "extra" charges.

4. A final price without a survey

A firm figure over the phone, without seeing your home in person or on video, cannot account for access, floors or what you are actually moving.

5. Nothing in writing

A genuine mover gives a written quote that lists packing, labour, transport, extras, insurance and GST. Verbal promises are hard to enforce later.

6. Full payment demanded in advance

A booking amount is normal. Pressure to pay the whole amount days before the move, especially in cash or to a personal account, is not.

7. Vague answers about insurance

Ask who the insurer is, what is covered and how a claim works. A firm that cannot answer basic questions is unlikely to help when something breaks.

8. No consignment note for intercity moves

For goods travelling between cities, you should receive a consignment note (GC or bilty) in the company's own name. It is your record that the company took responsibility for the goods.

9. Paperwork in a different name

If the quote, receipt, vehicle or invoice carries a different business name from the one you were given, stop and ask why.

10. Reviews that do not add up

Watch for bursts of short, generic five-star reviews posted close together, and for repeated, specific complaints about goods being held back or prices rising after loading.

11. Pressure to decide now

"The offer ends today" and "only one truck left" are sales tactics. A genuine mover will give you time to compare.

12. Goods held until you pay more

The worst case is a truck that arrives and will not unload until you pay an amount that was never agreed. Written quotes, receipts and a consignment note in the company's name are your best protection.

Genuine vs unregistered movers at a glance

Check	Genuine mover	Warning sign
Address	Verifiable office, same on quote and invoice	Mobile number only, or address keeps changing
GSTIN	Matches the business name on the GST portal	Missing, or registered to someone else
Survey	In person or by video before the final price	Firm price over the phone
Quote	Written and itemised	Lump sum or verbal only
Payment	Booking amount, receipts, GST invoice	Full advance, no receipts
Insurance	Insurer and terms explained in writing	"Don't worry, it's covered"
Consignment	GC or bilty in the company's own name	No document, or a different name

Credentials worth asking for

• GST registration. The basic test that a business exists and is registered for tax.
• IBA approval. Important if your employer, especially a bank or PSU, is reimbursing the move. See our guide to IBA approved packers and movers.
• ISO certification. Optional, but if claimed, ask to see the certificate.
• Insurance details. The insurer's name and the policy terms, not just the word "insured".

Same name, different company: how to confirm you are talking to us

Many unrelated moving firms in India use the name "Agarwal" in some form. They are separate businesses with their own owners, prices and terms. This causes real confusion, and some people book one firm believing it is another.

We are Agarwal Packers and Movers, an independent Dehradun business operating since 2003. We are not affiliated with Agarwal Packers & Movers Ltd or with any other company that uses the Agarwal name. To confirm you are dealing with us, check that:

• Our office address is 175, EC Road, Race Course, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001. Our only other office is in Bhopal.
• Our phone number is +91 93681 08590.
• Our GSTIN is 05GMIPB4229N1ZV, and it returns our name when searched on the GST portal.
• Our IBA approval certificate number is 12154, and our trade mark number is 4001096.
• Our website is agarwalpackersnmovers.in and our email is info@agarwalpackersnmovers.in.

The full list, and what to do if something does not match, is on our verification page. If you receive a quote or invoice that uses our name but different details, please call us before paying.

Questions to ask before booking any mover

• What is your GSTIN, and what is the registered business name?
• Where is your office, and can I visit?
• Will you survey before giving the final price?
• What exactly is included, and what could be charged extra?
• Who is the insurer, and how do claims work?
• How much is the booking amount, and when is the balance due?
• Will I receive a consignment note and a GST invoice in your company's name?

Reviews help too, if you read them properly. Our guide on how to read Google reviews for packers and movers explains what to look for.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether a packers and movers company is genuine?

Verify the office address, search the GSTIN on the GST portal and check the name matches, ask for a written itemised quote after a survey, and make sure the receipt, consignment note and invoice carry the same business name.

Should I pay the full amount before the move?

No. Pay a booking amount by a traceable method, keep receipts, and settle the balance as set out in the written terms.

Does every genuine mover have IBA approval?

No. Plenty of genuine local movers are not IBA approved. It matters mainly when a bank, PSU or government employer is reimbursing your move and asks for an IBA approved transporter. For everyone else, GST registration, a verifiable address and written paperwork are the key checks.

Several companies are called Agarwal Packers. Are they the same?

No. Many unrelated firms use similar names. Check the address, phone number and GSTIN on any quote. Our details are listed on our verification page.

What should I do if a mover holds my goods and asks for more money?

Stay calm, keep everything in writing, and refer to the written quote and receipts. If the matter is not resolved, the National Consumer Helpline (1915) can advise on next steps.

Get a written quote

Want to check a quote, or get one from us? Call +91 93681 08590 (open 24 hours, 7 days) or book a free survey and we will give you a written, itemised quote before you commit to anything.