Just in time for the warm-weather moving rush, federal and state authorities are acting against some of the most egregious con artists masquerading as movers.
These rogues promise a low-ball price, often without sending someone to look at the furnishings and other goods being shipped. On moving day, workers rush the customer through paperwork, encouraging him or her to sign incomplete documents with no bottom-line price. Once the stuff is on the truck, the movers say that the load is much larger than anticipated and that the cost will be thousands of dollars more than the estimate. If the consumer balks, the mover holds the belongings hostage.
Although they won't intercede between you and a menacing mover, federal and state authorities have started to act against movers who show a glaring pattern of abuse. In March, a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida indicted 74 people who owned or worked for 16 moving companies alleged to have held homeowners' goods hostage for inflated bills. The felony charges carry prison terms of up to 20 years.
And in January, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration levied a $302,000 fine — its largest ever — against USA Van Lines of Brooklyn, N.Y., for similar violations. The company has contested the charges and continues to operate during the appeal.
Filing a complaint can help authorities build a case against a rogue mover, but it's of little help to you if you're trying to get your furniture back. Be on guard before anyone loads your belongings onto their truck.
Don't use Internet-based moving brokers. They have a history of referring people to some of the most notorious moving companies. Look for a local agent of a reputable mover and ask for references from recent, satisfied customers. Check the Web site run by the American Moving and Storage Association; www.moving.org, for movers the organization has certified.
Check out "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move," a brochure published by the federal Department of Transportation www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/moving.htm. Among its tips: Both binding and nonbinding estimates must be in writing. With either, a mover can charge you more for extra services — such as providing packing materials or climbing unanticipated stairs — and demand 100 percent payment for those extras on delivery day. Beyond that, the driver can demand no more than 10 percent over a nonbinding estimated fee before unloading your belongings. You get 30 days to pay or dispute any charges above that level.