Blumenthal Calls on DOT to Curb Rising Moving Frauds
Consumers across the country report alarming instances of moving companies deliberately underestimating costs & extorting thousands of dollars in return for their possessions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) raised deep concerns about increasing instances of several types of moving frauds affecting American consumers and urged U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) action to prevent these incidents.
“The FMCSA must use all of its authorities to enforce penalties against bad actors and protect consumers from widespread fraud, extortion, and theft within the moving industry,” wrote Blumenthal in a letter to DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Moving frauds include moving companies deliberately underestimating costs of moving and forcing consumers to pay a higher price following the move, misrepresenting the weight of a package, and taking consumers’ moving loads hostage. In this latter scam, a mover demands more money than the initially agreed-upon estimate to return a consumer’s items.
“There have been tragic reports of movers extorting thousands of dollars from consumers in return for their possessions. These fraudsters can make moving – an already stressful experience for any consumer – a nightmare,” Blumenthal emphasized.
Blumenthal expressed encouragement at some action taken by the FMCSA on this issue, including efforts to educate the public and investigatory steps taken by the agency, and urged the agency to take further action.
“While I understand the FMCSA is limited in the penalties it can assess without the DOJ, such limitations do not preclude tough enforcement or referrals to DOJ for further action. Indeed, tough enforcement of the law will be a strong deterrent to the widespread fraud perpetuated currently on consumers,” Blumenthal continued, asking the agency a number of questions regarding the scope, nature, and potential solutions to the issue.
“I look forward to working with you and the FMCSA to prevent moving fraud and ensuring any fraudsters are held fully accountable going forward,” Blumenthal concluded.
The full text of the letter can be found here.
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