Who to call if you think you’ve been a victim of moving fraud.
There are many ways you can be considered a victim of moving fraud. Some include:
- The company you hired deliberately underestimated your move
- They are holding your items on their truck unless you pay significantly more than the quoted price
- They falsify your shipment weight
- They loaded your items and are now MIA
If you are moving within the state of NJ, you can contact NJWMA – njmovers.com for guidance on how to report a claim or go directly to The Division of Consumer Affairs – njconsumeraffairs.gov. In the case of interstate moves, you should contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move
Filing a complaint is your chance to help identify moving companies or move brokers who have engaged in local, state, and federal violations. Your complaint can not only help you to recover your items if they are missing or being held hostage but also the best way to help put disreputable operators out of business.
If you’d like to file a complaint, make sure you have the following items available:
- Your name, address, and telephone number
- The name, address, and telephone number of the moving company or broker
- Origin and destination address of the shipment
- U.S. DOT and Motor Carrier (MC), and their Div of Consumer Affairs license number, if available
- A note detailing your move outlining the alleged violation(s)
- Your moving documents: Estimate, Bill of Lading, and Inventory pages (if applicable)
The best way to avoid being scammed is to work with reputable licensed and insured established companies whom you vetted thru social media, friends, BBB, and NJWMA.
Blog Submission:
Karen Mantzouranis, Main Street Movers and NJWMA Vice President.
Do your research and find out about the mover you are looking to hire. #njmoversforconsumers #moversforconsumers