Prepping for a move? Turn your scam detector on, kids. There are plenty of unethical moving outfits who are more interested in liberating you from your cash than delivering your possessions safe and sound.

Some of the signs are obvious. Poor phone manners should be a big red flag. A website that looks woefully out of date is another. Likewise, a general feeling that the movers are disorganized or lack experience shouldn’t be ignored. None is proof that a company is dishonest, but if your instincts say there’s something fishy, go with your gut.

So, what steps can you take? You’ll want to check out a company’s reputation and its business licenses. Also, make sure the company is willing to come to your home to do a visual inspection of the items you wish to move. If it gives you a quote over the phone without coming to see your stuff, that’s a bad sign.

There aren’t many sure-fire signs that a moving company isn’t on the level, but there is one. If the company demands that you pay in advance or provide an abnormally large portion of the payment before it actually does the move, that should set off alarm bells. Run the other way.

But, like a lot of things related to moving, it comes down to common sense and doing a little homework.