Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, April 5, 2023:
Amid a rise in all manner of freight-related scam activities, including widespread double-brokering, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Tuesday announced the launch of a special operation aimed at household-goods-moving scams called Operation Protect Your Move, head of the busy summer season. FMCSA is deploying dozens of investigators across the country in an enforcement sweep to address what it says is a significant uptick in complaints of movers holding household possessions hostage to extort exorbitant additional charges from consumers.
Investigators will also address complaints against moving companies and brokers out of compliance with federal safety and consumer protection regulations and statutes. The Operation covers both movers and the brokers that purport to connect consumers to local movers but instead facilitate fraud by promoting scams.
[Related: FMCSA needs a 'cop on the block' fighting double-brokered freight fraud]
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg urged consumers planning a move to “visit protectyourmove.gov for more information to help protect yourself from moving scammers.”
Frequent complaints have been filed with FMCSA alleging companies of using deceptive business practices that are causing consumers to pay higher fees, experience delays in receiving their household goods, or in some cases not receiving their possessions at all.
FMCSA's notes it will formally document violations and has the authority to review and revoke the licenses of movers and brokers. Cases involving potential criminal misconduct may be referred to the U.S. Department of Justice for further investigation. Additionally, FMCSA will work directly with consumers to guide them through the process and help get their money and goods back.
