How to Identify Fake Packers and Movers: 9 Checks Before You Pay
To check whether packers and movers are genuine, verify their GST number on the government GST portal, confirm the company name and office address, insist on a written itemised quotation on a letterhead, and pay only into a bank account in the company's name. Walk away from anyone who quotes far below the rest, asks for a large cash advance, or has no office you can visit.
Most moving fraud in India follows a few patterns: a copied brand name, a quote that doubles after loading, or goods held until more money is paid. The nine checks below take about fifteen minutes and screen out all three.
What are the common packers and movers scams?
- Copied names. A small operator uses a name and logo that look like a well-known national brand, with a different phone number and a website made last month.
- The low quote. A price well under everyone else's wins the booking. After the goods are loaded, new charges appear for floors, packing material, tolls or "extra volume".
- Goods held for payment. The truck stops answering calls, or the driver refuses to unload until a larger amount is paid.
- Advance and disappear. A booking amount is taken by UPI to a personal account and nobody arrives on the day.
- Fake bills. A made-up GST invoice or "IBA approved" bill is offered for an employer claim.
Our guides to last-minute price hikes and hidden costs explain the pricing tricks in detail.
How do I verify packers and movers before booking?
| # | Check | How to do it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GST number | Ask for the GSTIN and search it on the GST portal. The legal name and state shown there should match the quotation. |
| 2 | Company registration | For a private limited company, look up the name on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal. |
| 3 | Office address | Find the address on a map and, if you can, visit. A real mover has an office and staff, not only a mobile number. |
| 4 | Website and phone | Check that the number you called is the one on the company's own website, not only on a listing or an advertisement. |
| 5 | Survey | A genuine mover wants to see the goods, in person or on a video call, before giving a price. |
| 6 | Written quotation | On a letterhead with GSTIN, listing packing, labour, transport, tolls, GST and insurance separately. |
| 7 | Advance | A small booking amount against a receipt is normal. A large cash advance is not. |
| 8 | Payment account | Pay into a bank account or UPI ID in the company's name, never a personal one. |
| 9 | Inventory and consignment note | You should receive a signed list of items at loading and a consignment note or receipt for the goods. |
How do I check a packers and movers GST number?
Open the GST portal, choose Search Taxpayer, and enter the 15-character GSTIN from the quotation. The portal shows the legal name, trade name, state, registration date and whether the registration is active.
- The first two digits are the state code. A Maharashtra registration starts with 27.
- The legal name should match the company named on the quotation and the bank account you are asked to pay.
- A registration that is cancelled or only a few weeks old deserves more questions.
GST on a packers and movers bill is explained in our GST guide.
Do I need IBA approved packers and movers?
Usually not. The Indian Banks' Association keeps a list of transport operators that banks may use, and some banks and public-sector employers ask their staff for an IBA-approved transporter's bill for a transfer claim. For an ordinary household move it is not required and is not a safety certificate by itself.
If your employer has asked for it, confirm the requirement in writing before you collect quotes, and check the operator's name on the association's own list instead of trusting a logo on a website.
What are the warning signs of a fake mover?
- A quote given in two minutes on the phone, with no questions about floors, lift or volume.
- A price far below every other quote you received.
- Only a mobile number and a free email address; no landline, no office.
- Pressure to pay today to "hold the vehicle".
- Payment asked to a personal UPI ID or account.
- No GST number, or one that belongs to a different name.
- Refusal to give anything in writing.
- A brand name that is one word different from a famous company.
What should I do if packers and movers cheat me or hold my goods?
Act the same day, and keep everything in writing.
- Collect the evidence: quotation, payment screenshots, chats, call log, vehicle number, driver's name and photos of the loading.
- Send a written demand by email and WhatsApp asking for delivery or refund by a stated date.
- Online payment fraud: call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 as soon as possible and report it on the cybercrime portal. Early reporting improves the chance of the money being frozen.
- Goods withheld or taken: file a complaint at your local police station with the evidence.
- Service dispute: call the National Consumer Helpline on 1915, then file before the District Consumer Commission through the e-Jagriti portal if it is not resolved.
For damage, as opposed to fraud, follow our damage claim guide.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information. For a specific dispute, speak to a qualified lawyer.
How can I verify Multishift before booking?
Apply the same nine checks to us. Multishift Packers and Movers Pvt Ltd is a registered private limited company with GST registration and ISO 9001:2015 certification, operating since 2014 from Office No. 4, Sadguru Niwas, Opp. MSEB Office, Sector 21, Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai 400701, with a branch at Nigdi, Pune.
- Use the Verify Docs button at the top of this website to ask for our registration certificates.
- Visit the Ghansoli office, or see our branches page.
- Every move gets a survey, a written itemised quotation and a GST invoice.
- Our numbers are +91 99877 83407 (Mumbai and Navi Mumbai) and +91 93557 72800 (Pune). We do not take bookings on any other number.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check if packers and movers are genuine?
Verify the GST number on the GST portal, check the company name and office address, ask for a survey and a written itemised quotation on a letterhead, and pay only into an account in the company's name.
Is it safe to pay packers and movers in advance?
A small booking amount against a receipt is normal. Avoid a large cash advance, and never pay into a personal account or UPI ID. The balance is usually paid at or after delivery as the quotation states.
What should I do if movers demand more money before unloading?
Refer them to the written quotation, call the company's office, and do not pay cash without a receipt. If goods are withheld, file a police complaint and call the National Consumer Helpline on 1915.
Is IBA approval compulsory for packers and movers?
No. It matters mainly when a bank or public-sector employer asks for an IBA-approved transporter's bill for a transfer claim. For an ordinary household move it is not required.
Where do I complain about packers and movers fraud?
For online payment fraud, call 1930 and report on the cybercrime portal. For withheld or stolen goods, go to the local police station. For a service dispute, use the National Consumer Helpline 1915 and the e-Jagriti consumer commission portal.
Why are some packers and movers quotes so much cheaper?
A very low quote often leaves out packing material, floor charges, tolls or GST, which are then added after loading. Compare quotations line by line, not by the total alone.
Want a quotation you can check line by line? Book a free survey and we will send packing, labour, transport, GST and insurance as separate lines.
Book a Free Survey Slot Call +91 99877 83407