WASHINGTON — Scams perpetrated by interstate household goods (HHG) movers and brokers are the focus of a nationwide crackdown by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the agency announced May 20.
Operation Protect Your Move is an enforcement initiative created to address complaints about HHG moving companies and brokers that do not comply with federal safety and consumer protection regulations and statutes.
“Americans deserve a fair deal when they move into a new home — and we’re cracking down on moving companies that hold people’s possessions hostage,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This initiative will build on last year’s progress holding scammers accountable.”
The FMCSA conducted a similar moving company-focused operation in the spring of 2023, followed by three HHG broker-focused operations in Nevada, New York/New Jersey and Florida later in the year. The 2023 operations uncovered more than 1,000 violations of FMCSA regulations.
In response, the FMCSA took enforcement actions where appropriate, issuing letters of probable violation or by revoking companies’ operating authority. In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a civil penalty enforcement case based on the result of the 2023 operation. That case is pending in federal court in California.
This year’s operation will target movers and brokers across the country with the highest numbers of consumer complaints. According to an FMCSA statement, the agency will continue to refer criminal violations to DOJ for prosecution where appropriate.
“We take our consumer protection role seriously and aim to help educate and protect those who may be moving their household goods from one state to another,” said FMCSA Acting Deputy Administrator Sue Lawless. “We are committed to this work, and we are putting forth even more resources to make a greater impact, including increasing the number of HHG investigators on staff and establishing additional partnerships with state attorneys general offices.”
Educating the public
Ahead of the busy summer moving season, FMCSA is also launching the Protect Your Move education campaign to raise consumer awareness of HHG moving scams. Consumers are encouraged to research and plan before moving across state lines by using the FMCSA’s free online resources:
- A moving checklistfor before and during the move;
- The Consumer Rights and Responsibilitiespamphlet;
- The Spot the Red Flags guide to help spot deceptive practices; and
- Tips for a successful move.
Anyone who has experienced moving fraud can file a complaint against a moving company or broker through the FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database.
Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and raised in East Texas, John Worthen returned to his home state to attend college in 1998 and decided to make his life in The Natural State. Worthen is a 20-year veteran of the journalism industry and has covered just about every topic there is. He has a passion for writing and telling stories. He has worked as a beat reporter and bureau chief for a statewide newspaper and as managing editor of a regional newspaper in Arkansas. Additionally, Worthen has been a prolific freelance journalist for two decades, and has been published in several travel magazines and on travel websites.
