How to Avoid Moving Scams and Reduce the Stress of a Major Move

How to avoid moving scams, reduce stress and improve your transition experience – 10 helpful tips from Benevia

The peak summer moving season is in full swing and smart move management is key to avoiding scams, reducing stress and improving your transition, according to Benevia (www.benevia.com). The Seattle-based company coordinates transitions, such as relocations, home care needs and professional services for older adults, their families and caregivers.

“Moving ranks third on the list of most stressful life events, making consumers more vulnerable to moving scams. When you or a loved one, especially an elder relative make a major transition, such as downsizing or relocation, stress levels and emotions run high,” said Benevia Co-founder Eric Rovner. “There are several ways to avoid moving scams and reduce the stress associated with a major transition.”

1. Use moving services referred by a trusted personal or professional source.
2. Get the company’s address and local and toll-free phone numbers, and Web site address.
3. Ask how long they have been in business and get the full company name and any doing business (DBA) as names.
4. Ensure that the mover has all appropriate licensing, certification, and insurance – get their DOT and MC license numbers.
5. Ensure that the mover belongs to the appropriate trade associations and organizations. For example, the American Moving & Storage Association.
6. Ask for referrals (past clients) and contact them to inquire about service quality.
7. Make sure that the mover is in good standing with watchdog organizations and the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org).
8. Avoid movers that refuse to provide free in-home estimates when requested.
9. Do not sign any blank or incomplete paperwork.
10. Inquire about coverage for damage - make sure coverage is adequate for your belongings.

How Benevia’s service can help with an elder care transition

“Moves like this can be stressful and Benevia coordinated my father-in-law’s transition like a pro,” according to Allison L. of Seattle, Wash.

“With Benevia, older adults, their families and caregivers can focus their time and energy on more important things than searching through the yellow pages, hoping that a potential service provider is legitimate, reliable and empathetic,” said Rovner.

A dedicated Benevia Transition Coordinator creates a personalized transition plan and expertly coordinates the related details with Benevia’s network of screened service providers, at no cost to the consumer or caregiver. Benevia’s three areas of service include:

• Moving and home needs – coordinating relocation, home modifications and sales
• Home care needs – identifying and coordinating high quality home care and placement services
• Professional services -- identifying and coordinating insurance, legal, financial and estate planning services

About Benevia

Founded in 2003, Benevia (www.benevia.com) is dedicated to transforming the way older adults and their families navigate later life transitions. Through both personal and professional experiences, Benevia's founders identified that although there were numerous services to assist families with a specific healthcare or housing need, most families have multiple service needs. With this in mind, Benevia was formed to provide a holistic and personalized approach to the transition process. The Benevia team has successfully simplified transitions for hundreds of families and our clients appreciate the unique blend of expertise, genuine caring, and respect we bring to each and every transition we support.

In 2008, Benevia was acquired by Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage, one of the oldest and most highly respected service providers in the Greater Seattle area. Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage was founded in 1890 and has been owned and operated by the same family for four generations. After 118 years, Hansen Bros. Moving and Storage remains committed to the original mission: “To be the most trusted provider of moving and storage services whether down the street, across the country, or around the world.” For more information about Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage and the related portfolio of companies, please visit www.hansenbros.com.

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Media Contact:
Eric Rovner
1-888-BENEVIA (1-888-236-3842)
info@benevia.com