The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has cited 21 public movers for unlicensed operation following an undercover investigation, during which Division investigators posed as consumers who needed items moved within the state.
The Notice of Violation issued to each public mover carries a civil penalty of $2,500 for violations of the Public Movers & Warehousemen Licensing Act, N.J.S.A. 45:14D-1 et seq. and the Regulations Governing Public Movers and Warehousemen, N.J.A.C. 13:44D-1 et seq. The public movers have the opportunity to become licensed with the Division within 30 days and have the civil penalties reduced by 50%.
The Division conducted the undercover sting in November 2015, with the moving companies responding to a moving job at a location in Pequannock Township, Morris County.
The Mobile Safety Freight Unit of the New Jersey State Police found 95 violations during mechanical inspections of the moving vans and trucks, with one truck impounded. Five individuals were arrested on outstanding warrants.
State law requires all intrastate movers (those performing residential moves that both begin and end in New Jersey) to be licensed by the Division of Consumer Affairs. These movers must also protect consumers’ goods by maintaining cargo liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and bodily injury and property damage insurance.
They must register each moving vehicle they use in New Jersey, and keep the vehicles properly marked and insured, in compliance with State regulations. Movers also must provide consumers with a written estimate of the costs of the move. There are approximately 300 licensed intrastate movers in New Jersey.
The companies issued a Notice of Violation are as follows:
ABC Moving, a/k/a “Official Moving & Storage,” Brooklyn, New York
A Precision Movers, Belmar
Beastman Movers, Northfield
Black Moon Movers, North Bergen
Desoto Movers, Vineland
Edison Movers, a/k/a “M&M Moving & Storage,” Astoria, New York
Emmanuel Moving & Cleaning Service, Elizabeth
4 Brothers Moving, Garfield
Garden City Movers a/k/a “NJ State Moving Inc.,” Elizabeth
Hezzy’s In & Out Moving, Elmwood Park
IC Moving, Princeton
James Grodon Jr., Milford
Master Movers, Cherry Hill
Mike Davis Pro Service, Cranford
Moverland, a/k/a “Manhattan Movers,” a/k/a “Hoboken Movers,” Newark
Northeastern Van Lines, Queens, New York
Rommel Service, Woodland Park
Rowell’s Moving and Hauling, Pleasantville
Soho Moving & Storage, Old Bridge
Stevenson’s Moving, East Orange
TGS Moving, Newark
The moving companies were found through advertising on internet postings and online message boards.
Advice for Consumers:
Before hiring a mover, review the tips available from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. They include the following:
Call the Division of Consumer Affairs at (800) 242-5846 to verify the license status of any mover you consider hiring. Ask whether consumer complaints have been filed against the mover.
An estimator is required by law to come to the consumer’s house to provide an estimate.
Obtain a written estimate from the mover you select. The cost can be estimated on an hourly rate, by weight and miles traveled, or by cubic measurement.
Never pack jewelry, money, or valuable documents with your goods to be moved. The mover is not responsible for items of extraordinary value.
Check your goods as they are being delivered. If any goods are lost or damaged, notify the mover immediately. A damage claim can be filed up to 90 days after the move date.
Unless you purchase additional coverage, the mover is required to compensate you only up to 60 cents per pound, per article, for damages.
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint online at the Division’s website, www.njconsumeraffairs.gov or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.