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The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office cited 23 moving companies for allegedly doing business without being licensed by the state Division of Consumer Affairs.

In a Sept. 25 press release announcing the violations, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said his office also issued fines totaling $125,000 for breaking the state law.

According to Platkin, the enforcement actions stem from a three-day investigation in June. “Operation Safe Move” targeted unlicensed movers advertising their services online.

As a result, 21 of the companies received $5,000 fines. Two companies – Tera Movers LLC of Newark and Piece of Cake Moving of Queens, N.Y. – were cited as second-time offenders and hit with enhanced civil penalties of $10,000 each, Platkin said.

According to the state, the following companies received notices of violation for operating without being licensed by the Division’s Regulated Business Unit:

• AJS Moving Services LLC – Bayonne
• ANT Movers LLC – Bound Brook
• Beety Trucking – Beachwood
• Blue Orchard Moving – Middlesex
• C&T Mini Moves – Williamstown
• Daniels All Around Moving Service – Willingboro
• Eric Roswell’s Moving and Hauling -Ocean City
• Family Touch Moving – Spring Valley, N.Y.
• First Class Express Movers – Jersey City
• Franklin Reliable Movers – Somerset
• Good Mood Moving – Haskell
• Hoop There It Is – Willingboro
• Hope Trucking and Moving – East Orange
• Kelvin Daniels Moving Services – Somerset
• Mateusz LJ Services LLC – Lodi
• Moving Crew NJ LLC – Hillsborough
• Moving With A Vision – Edison
• MS Moving & Storage – Palmyra
• Official Moving & Storage – Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Piece of Cake Moving & Storage LLC – Queens, N.Y.
• Signature Van Lines – Paterson
• Tera Moving LLC – Newark
• Tommy’s Moving – Hoboken

Additionally, inspections conducted by the New Jersey State Police Mobile Safe Freight Unit during “Operation Safe Move” found 64 motor vehicle safety violations. One was serious enough to put the vehicle out of service.

Rules of the road

Beyond licensure by the state, all intrastate movers must observe statutes and regulations pertaining to the storage and transportation of household goods. That includes maintaining cargo liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and bodily injury and property damage insurance.

Movers also must provide the state with proof of vehicle registration and insurance coverage, as well as include their license number on the outside of the vehicle. They also must give a consumer with a written estimate of the costs of the move.

According to the state, there are approximately 309 licensed public movers in New Jersey.

“Unlicensed movers can be a consumer’s worst nightmare,” said Platkin. “These rogue operators are doing business outside regulatory oversight and often lack the necessary skills, experience, and insurance to protect the belongings entrusted to them. By proactively identifying and putting a stop to these businesses, we’re reducing the risk they pose to New Jersey residents.”

Division of Consumer Affairs acting Director Cari Fais, added, “New Jersey’s legal and regulatory requirements are in place to protect the consumers and their possessions. We urge residents to make sure they hire a mover from the pool of businesses licensed to provide services in compliance with those requirements.”

Getting help

Unlicensed movers have been known to hold truckloads of property hostage for months until customers agree to pay exorbitant price increases or worse, disappear with the property altogether. Finding these rogue operators once they disappear is extremely difficult when consumers can’t be sure who they are or where they’re located. Even if unlicensed movers do not engage in predatory behavior, there is a good chance they are not carrying adequate insurance to cover losses or damages incurred during the move, which could leave consumers responsible for those costs, according to the state.

Anyone who believes they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint online or call 1-800-242-5846 or 973-504-6200.

Before hiring a mover, the Division of Consumer Affairs urged the public to:

• Call the division at 973-504-6422 to verify the license status and ask whether consumer complaints have been submitted against the mover.
• Obtain a written estimate from the mover you select.

DCA also reminded residents to avoid packing jewelry, money or valuable documents and to check items as they are being delivered.

If any 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 $1.00 per pound, per article, for damages, the state noted.