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NEWARK
– The New Jersey Division of Consumer
Affairs is charging 25 unlicensed moving
companies, and assessing fines of up to
$2,500 each, as part of an undercover initiative
targeting unlicensed and uninsured moving
companies.
The
four-day sting operation took place from
Monday, June 27, through Thursday, June
30. In the operation’s initial phase,
Consumer Affairs investigators posed as
consumers who needed to move personal items
out of storage and into a house. They booked
appointments with unlicensed movers who
advertised on Craigslist or other websites.
Of
the 25 unlicensed movers who were contacted,
a total of 17 moving companies responded
by sending workers to a self-storage facility
in Bridgewater – and unwittingly into
the second phase of “Operation Mother’s
Attic.”
Upon
arriving at the self-storage facility, the
unlicensed movers were stopped and questioned
by Consumer Affairs investigators, as well
as by State Troopers who checked driver
and vehicle records, and inspected trucks
for mechanical defects.
“According
to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, over 37
million people across the country change
residences each year,” said Attorney
General Paula T. Dow. “Our laws are
designed to ensure that those who entrust
their moves to companies operating within
our state, don't fall prey to fly-by-night
operators who have little regard for consumers
or their cherished belongings.”
Under
State law, all movers who operate intrastate,
from point to point within New Jersey, must
be licensed by the Division of Consumer
Affairs. Licensed movers must protect consumers’
goods by maintaining cargo liability insurance,
workers’ compensation insurance, and
bodily injury and property damage insurance.
Licensed companies must also maintain a
bona fide business address in New Jersey,
and they must provide consumers with a written
estimate of the cost of the move.
“Last
year alone, the Division of Consumer Affairs
received nearly 160 consumer complaints
against moving companies,” said Thomas
R. Calcagni, Director of the Division of
Consumer Affairs. “In many instances,
predatory movers arbitrarily jacked up the
total cost of a move by as much as 1000
percent over bogus estimates, and then held
hostage consumers’ belongings until
the outrageous billing demands were met.”
Calcagni explained, “The bad actors
don’t just harm consumers –
they harm the reputation of an entire industry.
By requiring movers to be licensed, we’re
requiring accountability.”
Conducted
in partnership with the New Jersey State
Police, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration, the Somerset County Office
of Consumer Affairs, and the Somerset County
Sheriff’s Department, last week’s
sting resulted in several surprises to authorities.
One
individual, employed by Premiere Relocation
Services, arrived at the sting location
in a P.C. Richard & Son delivery truck.
The driver evidently worked for P.C. Richard
and “borrowed” the delivery
truck without the appliance and electronics
company’s knowledge or approval. Upon
citing the driver, Consumer Affairs investigators
contacted P.C. Richards representatives,
who arrived to claim the truck. Premiere
Relocation Services is a licensed mover,
but will receive a notice of violation and
civil penalty for using an unlicensed moving
vehicle.
One
moving company worker had an outstanding
warrant, was arrested by the State Troopers
on the scene, and was subsequently released
to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement.
Two
movers attempted to flee the scene but found
themselves trapped in a nearby parking area.
Just
In Time Moving & Delivery had its vehicle
impounded for operating without proper registration.
Two
movers had suspended drivers’ licenses.
A
total of 25 unlicensed movers will receive
notices of violation and civil penalties
of up to $2,500 each, as a result of the
investigation and sting. If they apply for
licensure within 30 days, the civil penalties
will be reduced to $1,250. Each mover has
the option of requesting a hearing to contest
the administrative charges.
Of
the 25 unlicensed movers, workers from the
following 17 showed up at the self-storage
facility:
- Andres
Acosta, advertising as “Daniel,”
of Guttenburg
- Best
Movers, of New York, NY
- Fedaa
Elabed, advertising as “Mike,”
of Cliffside Park
- Frank
Wood Transportation, of Bordentown
- Helping
2 Move, of Bayonne
- House
Movers, of Jersey City
- H.P.
Vandevere & Son, of Roselle
- JC’s
Moving, of Sewell
- Just
In Time Moving & Delivery, of Westhampton
- Mighty
Men Movers, of Maple Shade
- Ortiz
Trucking, of Jersey City
- Stevenson’s
Movers, of East Orange
- Stress
Less Moving, of New York, NY
- A
Van and a Hand, of North Plainfield
- Van
Express, of Glen Ridge
- Victor
Csik, advertising as “James,”
of Asbury Park
- Premiere
Relocation Services, of Edison (as noted
above, this is a licensed moving company
but is being cited for using an unlicensed
moving vehicle)
An
additional seven companies, who advertised
for moving work but did not send workers
to the self-storage facility, will also
receive notices of violation and fines of
up to $2,500.
Advice
for Consumers:
- Before
hiring a mover, review the tips available
from the New Jersey Division of Consumer
Affairs at www.NJConsumerAffairs.com/brief/mover.pdf
. They include:
- Call
the Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846
to learn whether the mover you’re
considering is licensed. Be sure to ask
whether consumer complaints have been
filed against the mover.
- Be
sure to obtain a written estimate from
the mover you select. The cost can be
estimated on an hourly rate, the rate
of your shipment and miles traveled, or
by cubic measurement.
- Never
pack jewelry, money, or valuable papers
with your goods to be moved. The mover
is not responsible for items of extraordinary
value.
- Be
sure to check your goods as they are being
delivered. If loss or damage is discovered,
notify the mover immediately. A damage
claim can be filed up to 90 days after
the move date.
- Unless
you purchase additional coverage, the
mover is required to compensate you only
up to 60 cents per pound, per article,
for damages.
Consumers
who wish to file a complaint, or who believe
they have been cheated or scammed by a business,
can file a complaint with the State Division
of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website,
www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov
, or by calling 1-800-242-5846
(toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.
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