Tips for packing and moving with ease
Make packing and moving easier with these tips.
Problem Solved, USA TODAY
From 2023 through July 16, 2024, American consumers have lost $289,105 to moving scams, according to USA TODAY’s most recent study ranking the worst states for moving complaints.
And Florida tops the rankings list as the state with the most moving complaints in the U.S.
“More than half of interstate moving complaints filed since the start of 2022 have targeted Florida companies, according to data from the FMCSA,” the study says.
“The influx of new Florida residents increases the likelihood of disputes with moving companies.”
Here’s how many complaints Florida movers have received, how to file a complaint and how many moving companies have FMCSA complaints filed against them.
What U.S. state has the most moving complaints?
Florida is leading the U.S. in the most moving complaints filed from 2022 through now, at 6,187 moving complaints filed with the FMCSA, which is 27.8 complaints per capita.
The state with the second-most moving complaints filed in that time frame is New Jersey, with a steep drop-off from Florida, at only 1,200 complaints filed (that’s 13 per capita).
“Across the United States, only 6.4% of the moving companies listed by the FMCSA have had a complaint leveled against them since 2022, with 1,569 businesses facing complaints out of 24,399 moving companies,” the study said.
“Of the top 20 companies with the most complaints, 12 are in Florida. Thirteen operate as moving brokers rather than carriers. Carriers manage moves directly using their equipment and staff, while brokers act as intermediaries, arranging services through other companies or operating as hybrids that combine direct service with subcontracted tasks.”
Here’s USA TODAY Homefront’s most recent list of the states with the most moving complaints filed from 2022 through now:
FloridaNew JerseyNevadaWyomingDelawareIndianaGeorgiaIllinoisMissouriColoradoCaliforniaMarylandAlabamaOregonNorth CarolinaWashingtonTexasArizonaVirginiaTennesseeWhat to do if a moving company is scamming you
To avoid moving scams, you can read online reviews for each moving company you’re considering, check their social media, comb Facebook and Reddit for any posts about bad experiences and check the FMCSA website to confirm the company you’re moving with is registered.
“You can file a report through the FMCSA for interstate moves or to your state regulators,” USA TODAY’s study says.
“For smaller amounts, you can complain to your local BBB office or file a case in a small claims court, which will generally hear cases with dollar values under $10,000, depending on jurisdiction. If you’ve lost more than that, consider hiring a consumer advocacy lawyer, recommended Jeff Sovern, a professor of consumer protection law at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law in Baltimore.”
Are moving companies regulated in Florida?
Yes, moving company regulation falls under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Consumer Services.
“We regulate various businesses, such as motor vehicle repair shops, charitable organizations, pawnbrokers, health studios, sellers of travel, intrastate movers, professional surveyors and mappers, sweepstakes/game promotions and telemarketers,” the FDACS website says.
Contributing reporting by Sam M. Huisache, USA TODAY Homefront
Source link : https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2024/07/29/avoid-moving-scams-moving-company-regulation-florida/74554996007/
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Publish date : 2024-07-29 06:06:30
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