Dow
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Paula T. Dow announced Tuesday the results of a sting operation targeting unlicensed and uninsured moving companies.
Dow said that 25 unlicensed moving companies have been assessed fines of up to $2,500 each. The operation took place from June 27-30. Seventeen unlicensed moving companies allegedly responded to advertisements on Craigslist and other websites and sent workers to a self-storage facility in what was the second phase of "Operation Mother's Attic."
"According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, over 37 million people across the country change residences each year," Dow said. "Our laws are designed to ensure that those who entrust their moves to companies operating within our state, don't fall prey to fly-by-night operators who have little regard for consumers or their cherished belongings."
As part of New Jersey law, all movers who operate intrastate from point to point within New Jersey, must be licensed by the Division of Consumer Affairs. These licensed movers must protect consumers' goods with cargo liability insurance, bodily injury and property damage insurance, and workers' compensation insurance. Licensed companies must maintain a bona fide business address in New Jersey and must give consumers a written estimate of the cost of the move.
Dow alleges that one individual arrived in an unlicensed moving vehicle; another moving company worker had an outstanding warrant and was arrested on the scene; two movers attempted to flee the scene; two movers had suspended drivers' licenses; and one company had its vehicle impounded for operating without proper registration.
Workers from the following 17 movers allegedly showed up at the self-storage facility: Andres Acosta, advertising as "Daniel," of Guttenburg, N.J.; Fedaa Elabed, advertising as "Mike," of Cliffside Park, N.J.; Best Movers of New York; Frank Wood Transportation of Bordentown, N.J.; House Movers of Jersey City, N.J.; Helping 2 Move of Bayonne, N.J.; H.P. Vandevere & Son of Roselle, N.J.; Just in Time Moving & Delivery of Westhampton, N.J.; JC's Moving of Sewell, N.J.; Mighty Men Movers of Maple Shade, N.J.; Stevenson's Movers of East Orange, N.J.; Ortiz Trucking of Jersey City, N.J.; Stress Less Moving of New York; Van Express of Glen Ridge, N.J.; A Van and a Hand of North Plainfield, N.J.; Victor Csik, advertising as "James" of Asbury Park, N.J.; and Premiere Relocation Services of Edison, N.J., which is a licensed moving company but is being cited for allegedly using an unlicensed moving vehicle.
An additional seven companies who advertised for moving work but did not send workers to the self-storage facility will also receive violation notices and fines of up to $2,500.