FMCSA Launches “Operation Protect Your Move” Targeting Moving Company Scams
The FMCSA announced a major enforcement effort to curtain household goods moving scams on April 4th.
The FMCSA says that “Operation Protect Your Move” will involve the deployment of “dozens of investigators across the country in an enforcement sweep to address the significant uptick in complaints of movers holding household possessions hostage to extort exorbitant additional charges from consumers.”
Deceptive Practices
The FMCSA points to consumer complaints about deceptive business practices used by movers that increase costs, cause delays, or result in customers never receiving their items. The FMCSA investigators will document violations, revoke licenses of movers and brokers who violate regulations, and refer any criminal conduct detected to the U.S. Department of Justice for further investigation as part of the operation.
Investigators will also look into complaints regarding household goods movers who are not in compliance with federal safety and consumer protection regulations and statutes, the agency said in a news release.
What Does the FMCSA Have Planned?
The FMCSA has stated that this is only the first in a series of planned operations scheduled in the coming to address household moving scams. The FMCSA will also increase the number of investigators assigned to moving complaints and strengthen partnerships with consumer protection and attorney general offices across the country.
“Moving is stressful enough without having to worry about being scammed by your moving company, so we’re cracking down on moving companies that hold people’s possessions hostage, and the brokers who facilitate that fraud,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “If you’re planning a move, we encourage you to visit protectyourmove.gov for more information to help protect yourself from moving scammers.”
“FMCSA takes its responsibilities very seriously to help protect consumers when moving their household valuables from one state to another,” says FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson. “Consumers should feel confident they can trust the company hired to transport their possessions.”
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