Check for GST registration
Legitimate moving companies operating at any real scale are typically registered under GST and can provide a GST number on request. You can ask for their GSTIN and cross-check it on the official GST portal, which will show you the registered business name and status. A company that can’t produce a GST number, or whose GSTIN doesn’t match their business name, is worth questioning further.
Look for a physical office or warehouse address
A real moving company usually has a verifiable address — an office, a warehouse where trucks and equipment are based, or both. Search that address on Google Maps and see whether it matches a real, existing establishment rather than a residential flat or an address that doesn’t exist. If possible, visiting the office in person before booking is the strongest verification step available.
Check business registration and years of operation
Ask how long the company has been operating, and see if this matches what’s shown on their website, Google Business listing, or social media presence. A company claiming “10 years in business” with a Google listing created two months ago and no older reviews is a mismatch worth asking about.
Read reviews carefully, not just the star rating
Look past the overall star rating and read individual reviews, especially any negative ones and how the company responded to them. Genuine review histories tend to include a spread of ratings, specific details (dates, routes, issues), and natural variation in writing style — a wall of generic five-star reviews posted within days of each other is a common sign of purchased reviews.
Ask for references or past customer contacts
A confident, established mover is often willing to share contact details of past customers (with permission) or point you to a verifiable review on Google or Justdial with enough detail to check independently. Reluctance to provide any way to verify past work is a caution sign.
Verify their vehicle and labour setup
Ask whether the crew and vehicles are their own or subcontracted, and how many years their core team has been with the company. This matters less for legitimacy and more for service quality, but companies willing to be transparent about this tend to be more reliable overall.
Check for association memberships
Some established movers in India are affiliated with industry bodies or associations for the packing and moving sector. While membership isn’t a strict requirement for legitimacy, it’s a positive signal when present, since these bodies typically have some baseline standards for members.
Confirm insurance and contract terms in writing
Ask whether they offer transit insurance, and request a written agreement or booking confirmation that includes the quote, services covered, and delivery timeline for intercity moves. A legitimate company will readily provide this; an unregistered or fly-by-night operator often avoids formal paperwork that could be used to hold them accountable.
Trust patterns, not a single data point
No single check is foolproof on its own — a company could have a GST number and still provide poor service, or lack a large online presence simply because they’re newer. The goal is to look at the combination: GST registration, a verifiable address, consistent business history, a believable review pattern, and willingness to put things in writing. When most or all of these line up, you’re dealing with a legitimate operation; when several are missing or evasive, it’s worth getting quotes from other movers instead.
The takeaway
Verification takes a little time upfront, but it’s far less costly than dealing with a fraudulent operator after your goods are already in their truck. GST registration, a real address, honest reviews, and a written agreement are the four pillars worth checking before you commit to any mover in Indore.
To avoid the risks covered above, it’s worth starting your search from a shortlist of verified, top-rated packers and movers in Indore rather than a random online listing.